Man, this is a great chapter. I am about to reveal something to this blog for the sake of being sharpened and for the accountability.
After reading this chapter I want to admit right now I have fallen trees in my life. I have a dammed up life. I really need some dynamite! 1. The confession of Sin 2. The cleansing of Sin 3. The Change from Sin 4. The control over Sin Guys, please be praying for me. God has really been dealing with me over the past week. I had alot of time for prayer and thinking of my spiritual life in the hospital. My life is in need of a revival. And Im not talking about some church service...I talking TRUE revival.. I have recieved my whipping, now I need Holy Spirit dynamite!
Pg. 83: “No longer is a fresh word of testimony found on our lips; no longer are we stirred with a passion for the Word of God’ no longer are we interested in lost people dying without Jesus; no longer are we consumed with the moving of the Holy Spirit in our lives….What’s gone wrong? Beavers, fallen trees and dammed up lives.”
That’s why we need revival! Look at the words he uses: “fresh word”, “stirred with passion”, “dying without Jesus”, “consumed with the moving of the Holy Spirit.”
I don’t know about you guys but I don’t see much of that in my life right now. I definitely do not see that in the life of many churches that I know of.
Men, add me to the list of those in need of a revival in my life. I'm literally run to death right now, and must slow down and take in the joy of serving the Lord each and every day. On page 81, Dr. Hunt says: "Corruption has not been introduced in today's modern society by revolution but by dilution". How true this is! It seems we all want to see just how far we can push the line of acceptance. And the sad thing is, the farther we push the line, the more we begin to accept. Many have done away with evening services, or prayer meetings on Wednesday night, to allow people "time with their families". My best family times are when I'm in church, with my family, worshiping the King of Glory. Many pastors are afraid to address sin face to face, either from the pulpit, or by confrontation, for fear we might hurt someone's feelings and they might leave the church. So we sit back and accept ungodly behavior rather than take a Biblical stand. We allow the worship and minsitries of our churches to be dictated by personal opinions and tradition rather than focused on lifting and honoring Jesus Christ. Don't get me wrong, that is not an attack on traditionalism. I'm as traditional as they come in most areas, however is our longing for traditional as a result of our own personal likes and dislikes, or because that is the best means to reach people for Christ. You can flip the coin on this with Contemporaries as well. Do we adapt to a contemporary setting because that is the best means to reach people for Christ, or because that is what the younger people "like". Slowly, I think we have "diluted" the fact that it's really not about us. And the said thing is, when you dilute something, you "water it down". Far too many churches are a mile wide, and about an inch deep. Let me change that, far too many Christians are a mile wide, and about an inch deep. Most aren't digging into the Word. Most aren't on their knees in prayer. Most aren't sharing the gospel. Most aren't faithful to church. Most aren't faithful tithers. We have so diluted the gospel that it no longer affects how we live. Folks, let's get away from just wanting to be men, and strive to being men of God, sold out to the Lord, and daily growing in our relationship with Him. Slowly, we can begin to change this "dilution" process. Ok, now I'm stepping down from my soap box! Please forgive my "rants" at times, cause most of them are pointed directly at my own heart.
Hey, just a quick thought. What if after we finish up this book study, we plan a men's retreat, where we can all get together, relax, pray, and sharpen each other face to face. Springville Camp and Conference Center has a large house that will sleep up to 30 people, with it's own private swimming pool, lake and boats for fishing, basketball court, etc. A Friday afternoon, Friday night, and all day Saturday would only be $275 total. Divide that out by all of Faith Racers, and that's not much per person. Just a thought! Let me know what you think.
In chapter 12 the writer of Hebrews issues Christians a challenge to run the race of faith. In order to do so we must lay aside every encumbrance and sin that so easily entangles us. We have to learn to run with endurance and keep our eyes fixed on our example, Jesus Christ. How do we accomplish this in our society? We lock arms with other men of faith and run the race.
This blog is dedicated to a “technical” approach to locking arms. This blog is dedicated to online book studies for men. We will read certain chapters from chosen books. Then we will post comments to encourage, inspire, and in some cases stir up other men. So, you are invited to join our online discussion. More importantly, will you accept the challenge to run the race of faith?
6 comments:
Man, this is a great chapter. I am about to reveal something to this blog for the sake of being sharpened and for the accountability.
After reading this chapter I want to admit right now I have fallen trees in my life. I have a dammed up life. I really need some dynamite!
1. The confession of Sin
2. The cleansing of Sin
3. The Change from Sin
4. The control over Sin
Guys, please be praying for me. God has really been dealing with me over the past week. I had alot of time for prayer and thinking of my spiritual life in the hospital.
My life is in need of a revival. And Im not talking about some church service...I talking TRUE revival.. I have recieved my whipping, now I need Holy Spirit dynamite!
True revival! I need it! I crave it!
Pg. 83: “No longer is a fresh word of testimony found on our lips; no longer are we stirred with a passion for the Word of God’ no longer are we interested in lost people dying without Jesus; no longer are we consumed with the moving of the Holy Spirit in our lives….What’s gone wrong? Beavers, fallen trees and dammed up lives.”
That’s why we need revival! Look at the words he uses: “fresh word”, “stirred with passion”, “dying without Jesus”, “consumed with the moving of the Holy Spirit.”
I don’t know about you guys but I don’t see much of that in my life right now. I definitely do not see that in the life of many churches that I know of.
Revive us God!
Men, add me to the list of those in need of a revival in my life. I'm literally run to death right now, and must slow down and take in the joy of serving the Lord each and every day. On page 81, Dr. Hunt says: "Corruption has not been introduced in today's modern society by revolution but by dilution". How true this is! It seems we all want to see just how far we can push the line of acceptance. And the sad thing is, the farther we push the line, the more we begin to accept. Many have done away with evening services, or prayer meetings on Wednesday night, to allow people "time with their families". My best family times are when I'm in church, with my family, worshiping the King of Glory. Many pastors are afraid to address sin face to face, either from the pulpit, or by confrontation, for fear we might hurt someone's feelings and they might leave the church. So we sit back and accept ungodly behavior rather than take a Biblical stand. We allow the worship and minsitries of our churches to be dictated by personal opinions and tradition rather than focused on lifting and honoring Jesus Christ. Don't get me wrong, that is not an attack on traditionalism. I'm as traditional as they come in most areas, however is our longing for traditional as a result of our own personal likes and dislikes, or because that is the best means to reach people for Christ. You can flip the coin on this with Contemporaries as well. Do we adapt to a contemporary setting because that is the best means to reach people for Christ, or because that is what the younger people "like". Slowly, I think we have "diluted" the fact that it's really not about us. And the said thing is, when you dilute something, you "water it down". Far too many churches are a mile wide, and about an inch deep. Let me change that, far too many Christians are a mile wide, and about an inch deep. Most aren't digging into the Word. Most aren't on their knees in prayer. Most aren't sharing the gospel. Most aren't faithful to church. Most aren't faithful tithers. We have so diluted the gospel that it no longer affects how we live. Folks, let's get away from just wanting to be men, and strive to being men of God, sold out to the Lord, and daily growing in our relationship with Him. Slowly, we can begin to change this "dilution" process. Ok, now I'm stepping down from my soap box! Please forgive my "rants" at times, cause most of them are pointed directly at my own heart.
Brad
Hey, just a quick thought. What if after we finish up this book study, we plan a men's retreat, where we can all get together, relax, pray, and sharpen each other face to face. Springville Camp and Conference Center has a large house that will sleep up to 30 people, with it's own private swimming pool, lake and boats for fishing, basketball court, etc. A Friday afternoon, Friday night, and all day Saturday would only be $275 total. Divide that out by all of Faith Racers, and that's not much per person. Just a thought! Let me know what you think.
Brad
Brad, Im in.
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