We All Need Rest

There are many types of leaders and most must take time away to be refreshed to continue the charge.

As men, we tend to think we have things under control. We don’t know how to ask for help.

This holds true for many men in Christian leadership, as well. We feel if God called us to lead men He must clearly trusts us meaning we need to suck it up when we get weary.

He tells us, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others .” (Philippians 2:4) With that can promote a lot of pressure. If not careful, we can tend to take on others’ burdens.

God also reminds us to, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). We tend to put others’ needs before our own.

We forget that Jesus periodically went off on His own to pray. He took time for rest and reflection so He could continue His mission.

When tending to your sheep “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.“ (Philippians 2:3) I know you are doing just that. I simply want to remind you to take care of yourself too.

Jesus also instructs us to, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

It’s okay to rest gentlemen. Jesus says to us, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31)

God has you! “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Let’s not forget to lift each other up and ask for encouragement when we need it.

I thank God for you men. Just knowing you are out there leading other men helps me know I’m not alone. You aren’t either.

I thank God we have each other. I will be praying for you.

Be encouraged brothers.

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Please… Do Not Fly Solo

February 19, 1993 I surrendered my life to Christ. That is more than thirty years ago. Wow! How time flies.

How? I went to a men’s retreat. Hungover. Yes. I was a big drinker. For more than twenty years before my surrender I drowned my fears and failures with alcohol.

I had totaled three cars in those twenty years and I was court ordered to Driving School twice due to multiple DUIs.

It was only through God’s grace that I did not kill myself. Or worse. Killed someone else.

The miracle in my surrender was how Jesus immediately took my addiction away and He set me free through His grace.

I was now longer desiring beer which was my alcohol of choice. I was able to drink it, but I found myself only getting halfway through. I no longer felt it was a sin to walk away.

My insecurities were still intact, but I was no longer able to numb my pain with a six pack.

In its place God put a five pack of men in my path. Geoff, Bud, Jim, John and Tony all encouraged me and walked me through bible verses giving me the courage to walk with Jesus. Pretty soon I was sipping on His Word every day and growing in confidence.

It was God’s grace and love through this band of brothers that I have a relationship with Jesus today.

Thank you Jesus and thank you to the men that invited me thirty years ago to that Men’s Retreat.

It is because of you five men that today I pray every man finds a brother in Christ to walk this journey with. Jesus wants you #freein23

Men… there is no reason for anyone to fly solo. God wants you as a pivotal part of His plan. He doesn’t want to see you get picked off in the dark.

Get plugged in. Find a group near you at http://www.Facebook.com/GodsCarolinaMen. #aimingtoconnectmen

It could save your life.

http://www.facebook.com/GodsCarolinaMen

Lord, I Need You

This post is designed as a devotional.

I surrendered my life to Christ on February 19, 1993. I showed up at a men’s retreat hung over and God freed me from alcohol that night. He did not free me from numerous other addictions. For reasons He knows better than I do. Most likely to insure I never forget that He loves me and wants me to always rely on Him.

Lord. Thank you for Your promise to give us rest. I am weary from trying to face my fears on my own.

Please help me face the demons in my life that I have been tolerating for as long as I can remember. Demons that I have allowed to derail Your plans for me. Teach me to leave them at the foot of your cross. And leave them there.

Thank you Lord for Your promise to preserve us in Matthew 11:28 telling us, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Thank you Jesus for Your invitation to learn from You and Your promise that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light.

Thank you Jesus for inviting me to come to You. Not to religion. But to You so You can teach me Your ways. Amen

Scripture

Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29

Reflection

All of us need rest, and Jesus promises to give it to us when we find our rest in Him. He will not scold us for being weak or scorn us for being foolish. He promises to gently and humbly refresh our weary souls. The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible

Breakdown

What Kind of Rest Does Jesus Give? Desiring God

Prayer/Meditation

Guided Prayer & Meditation. Matthew 11:28-30 The Meeting Place

GOING DEEP

Message

Matthew 11:28-30 (Part 3) Calvary Chapel Ontario

Worship

Come Unto Me Esther Mui

Lord I Need You Matt Maher

Come To Me (Live) Bethel Music

How Can We Serve Right Now?

In these trying days where we are locked in our homes due to “Stay At Home” orders, a lot of us are frustrated and dealing with depression because we cannot get outside.

Cabin Fever is real and it will drive you nuts if you let it get the best of you.

It is easy to look inward and focus on ourselves. We don’t always see that by staying home we are serving our families and communities well.

With Holy Week taking place this week we are reminded of the journey Jesus took the final week of His life.

Most of us are wondering what are we going to do for Easter. We can’t go to church. We can’t get together with family for a nice meal. We cannot even hold a neighbor Easter egg hunts.

So what do we do? Jesus reminds us on Holy Thursday how to serve one another with His washing off His Disciples feet. He does this to show us how to serve one another.

So it seems the best way to serve our families and our communities right now is to stay home.

After you wash your wife’s feet this Thursday, don’t forget to wash your hands.

Thanks for serving.

Scripture > John 13:14

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”

Illustrated version of John 13:12-18 > https://youtu.be/RRebqmlFumQ

Message > Wash One Another’s Feet, Jonathan Redfearn, Jedmond Parish Church, Newcastle

https://youtu.be/f9umA14qYBI

Key verse > John 13:15

“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”

Song > Make Me A Servant

Performed by the Maranatha Singers

https://youtu.be/RS8p-TJo1VY

What does the Bible say about foot washing?

https://www.gotquestions.org/foot-washing.html

John 13, John Heitzig, Calvary Albuquerque

https://youtu.be/V27fljCeBtM

The Humble Love of Christ, John MacArthur, Grace To You

https://youtu.be/_wopehI6tTk

Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice for each and every one of us.

Easter Is Coming

We all know that Easter is coming and signs of Spring are blooming everywhere.

Coming out of the dark and cold of Winter is energizing with the sun shining brighter and the days getting longer.

Yes, we may celebrate Easter with a Reese’s chocolate and peanut butter Easter Bunny. These reminders are woven into our daily lives as soon as the first petals appear on the Cherry Blossoms.


For me though, this time of year is a great time to reflect on the Cross.

What we tend to forget is how we got here and who saved us.

Jesus Christ was anticipating our freedom and our salvation as Easter drew near. He was excited for all of His believers knowing that we were being given the gift of eternal life.

He also wanted to show His love to the entire world so He chose to extend forgiveness and to offer everyone salvation.

He chose a brutal death in a brutal time in history. Why not by “guillotine” or “lethal injection?” Those methods are much quicker and much humane then wearing a crown of thorns and experiencing excruciating beatings, scourging and suffocation.

Luke’s depiction of the crucifixion (http://bit.ly/2VngHXI) captures the agony of the Cross much like The Passion (http://bit.ly/2CZoHa2) does of the scourging Christ took at the hands of the Romans.

The fact that Christ chose to surrender himself to go through this hell is just another example of how much He loves us.


Considering what Jesus went through and how He suffered for us, please remember how He forgave us of our sins, was ridiculed in the process, and surrendered Himself to our Father in Heaven.

And on Easter Sunday morning celebrate His Resurrection because He rose from the dead and today He is alive seated at the right hand of the Father until the day He returns.

Hallelujah.

Glorious Day – Casting Crowns
http://bit.ly/2VvgNMM

Carry My Cross – Third Day
http://bit.ly/2CSu4YL

Forever – Kari Jobe
http://bit.ly/2D1pWpj

GOING DEEP

What is scourging?
http://bit.ly/2CZoHa2

Crucifixion
http://bit.ly/2VkGMGM