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Would you believe it? A place in the Bible where it says God "couldn't" do something? Now before you yell "Heathen", report me to the Christian Police and write the publisher, let's read how The Message translates Ezekiel 22:30 as God is giving it to thickheaded Israelites once again. "I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn't have to destroy it. I couldn't find anyone. Not one." Other versions read God found nobody. Check out what David wrote in the 53rd Psalm: God sticks his head out of heaven. He looks around. He's looking for someone not stupid--one man, even, MSG Jesus confirmed how God works through man saying, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." Matthew 9:37 Yes, our God is sovereign. Yes, ability wise, He can do all. But why do "The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9. I don't know about you but that "run to and fro" stuff sounds like hard work. God in His infinite wisdom has chosen to work through you and me. Do you know what kind of men God looks for today? The same "Gap Standers" He looked for in Ezekiel's day. Guys who step out. Men of courage who risk time, money and comfort to pull small bands of brothers together for the sake of God, family and their own spiritual and emotional well being. Has He not brought about your need for prayer, Bible study and encouragement with other men time after time? Has He not spoken to your heart as well as your mind? God desires for us to weave our lives together. Like nothing else, small men's groups have the power to change lives. They're the ideal route to discipleship a place where the rubber of biblical truth meets the road of human relations. Significant relationships (including one-to-one) occur best in the context of a small group. Connecting men in a small group is not optional in the local church, it is the church in its smallest unit. Without this, people are at best attending meetings but are not truly participating in church. With our guys, we hear each other's stories (Revelation 12:11). We discover each other's strengths and weaknesses. We learn to walk with God together. That includes unselfish comforting and all the "one another" commands found in the New Testament. "Love one another", "Encourage one another", "Forgive one another" are but a few them. We pray for each other, we cover each other's backs. This small core fellowship is the essential ingredient for the Christian life. Jesus modeled it for us with the twelve. He lived in a little platoon, a small fellowship. What about you? When are you finally going to give in and pursue starting or joining a small group of guys? Is it the right time for you to step out? The greatest risk of Man is to risk nothing for God! Men don't risk because they don't trust. They don't trust because they don't know where they end and God begins. Stepping out spiritually involves risk. The "Spirit of Fear" screams, "What if I risk embarrassing myself? What if we do something wrong? I don't know the Bible well enough. I feel inadequate." It's scary! But be of good cheer, many of God's greatest felt just like you. Heaven's roll call of achievers is filled with former failures. Your impression of their accomplishments blinds you to their pasts. The names are familiar, as they felt just like you.
Jesus brags (prays) to the Father how the Disciples have kept His word in John 17. Yet Peter still denied, Thomas still doubted and the disciples still divided. 1 Corinthians 1:27, 28 says, Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? MSG Starting to feel like maybe you can write your own Epistle or deliver a million or so people out of bondage? How about just asking a buddy if he would like to meet two to three times a month to talk about life, and what direction and purpose God provides in the Bible. Man of God, Jesus asks nothing of us, without giving us the strength to perform it. His words never seek to destroy life, but to foster, strengthen and heal it. His commands are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3 2 Peter 1:10 Says: "So, friends, confirm God's invitation to you, his choice of you. Don't put it off; do it now! Do this and you'll have your life on a firm footing." MSG Will you be the guy God couldn't find? Or will you be a Gap Stander? He is looking to and fro for you! Answer the call! God4me Men's Network is a National alliance of Churches and Men's groups systematically training and assisting men in their pursuit of significance and purpose. "Discipleship Boot camps" are forums to provide encouragement, instruction and fellowship for the transformed man. Anointed speakers help men replace the lies of the world with Biblical truth. Upbeat and practical topics such as "Brainwashed", "A Man's Wild Heart", "The Purpose-Driven Man", and "As a Man Thinketh" are presented in a user friendly environment where men are free to "hear and respond". Movie clips and skits are used expressing the practicality of the topics. Food is served for time in fellowship, and short interactive workshops create a dynamic effective arena for change in men. Please visit Invasion for up to date information on events. Additional Information: God4Me Articles Please Visit: God4Me.com |
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