It has been one of those weeks again – Pondering about a scripture that my Pastor (Shaun) talked about on Sunday…    It was one that really had be thinking – is that right – nah it has to be wrong – well maybe it has a different meaning??????
OK – here is part of the scripture he had for his sermon….
1 Thessalonians 4:10-12      10.  And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11.  And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12.  So that you’re daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
So my pondering has been on the part “To make it your ambition to lead a quiet life – you should mind you own business”.
My study bible has an explanation at the bottom that states:  “There is more to Christian living than simply loving other Christians.  We must be responsible in all areas of life.  Some of the Thessalonian Christians had adopted a life of idleness, depending on others for handouts.  Some Greeks looked down on manual labor.  So Paul told the Thessalonians to work hard and live a quiet life.  You can’t be effective in sharing your faith with others if they don’t respect you.  Whatever you do, do if faithfully and be a positive force in society.”
         OK I can go for the hard work is a great example for Christians to show their faith and get the respect of others.  But I am still puzzled on the “Be Quiet and Mind your own Business”…    I have always believed that Christians needed to speak out a little more about our Christian Values…   – the mind your own business – well maybe we should sometimes…
I am not going to try to go much farther in explaining what I think this passage is about and how to live it…     I am seeking some great Wisdom from all of you…..
So please think about this scripture an email me your Thoughts…                    gmmgodsmightymen@yahoo.com       Thanks…..
Bobbyg
 

I was having Lunch with a couple of guys yesterday and part of the conversation was about how do we minister to the people around us?  That has been a big question that allot of us do not know how to do – to tell people about Jesus.   We see it as something that is beyond our expertise and that we need to be preaching at them.
I had an the opportunity once at work several years back when a guy came up to me and asked me about Church (he knew I was a Christian or supposed to be one).  My response is one that I regret to this day – I told him to go ask this other guy – he knew more than I did about the Church (it was an elder at my church).  The guy never did and to this day, I am not sure if he ever made it to a church – I blew it….  I did not think I had the knowledge about the Bible or what it took to answer his questions.
Well during our lunch conversation my good friend Pastor Jason K.  Stated a quote that his dad had given him (Jason’s dad was a Pastor also).
“You May be the only Bible that someone sees” – Then it was asked:  “What does that Look Like?”  (The statement may have been a little different – but that was the main meaning of the statement).
**So my question to myself is:  When people look at me – “Do they see Jesus in Me??????”  — And as in my past for this person at work – I may have been the only Bible he would have seen and I really blew it.
 
Then we discussed what it would look like when we are asked to be the Bible to someone.   You know – it is not that we have to preach to anyone – we just have to be what Jesus said – here a few of them.  (It is Simple – Read Matthew 25)

•           If someone was Hungry  feed them.
•           If someone is in need of a Coat give them one.
•           If someone needs a place to sleep – give them one.

**Then I  had this conversation with my Niece (Stephanie M) and asked her what it looked like.   She had a great answer.

•   Smile at people.  –  Be Joyful to People – Visit with them…
•   BE NICE – With this gift they will see Jesus in you……

So as you see – it does not take much to be the only Bible that someone will see – what they must see is Jesus in You!

So my challenge to you is to say this Prayer:  

Jesus here I am, USE ME!

Jesus will give you the words to tell people about him – have faith.

 Bobbyg
**One of my best compliments this week was from a Postmaster in northwest Wyoming:  She stated that when she talks to me her conversation has to be different because she knows that I am a Christian….  You know what – I have never preached at her – she has actually done more preaching to me and she does not go to church – but what she does see: is Jesus in me and that is all I want.

This last weekend the KLove awards were doing their Christian Artist awards and one of the songs that was put together “God of this City by Chris Tomlin” was for a special purpose..   During the awards they had a Video on Detroit MI and it was one of the Cities that needs allot of help… 
     Below is a portion of the lyrics and a connection to listen to the song.
You’re the God of this city – You’re the King of these people – You’re the Lord of this nation You are………………..
You’re the light in this darkness – you’re the hope to the hopeless – you’re the peace to the restless you are……….
There is no one like our God – There is no one like our God………..
Greater things have yet to come – And greater things are still to be done in this city – Greater things have yet to come – And greater things are still to be done in this city……………………
 Chris Tomlin – God Of This City Lyrics | MetroLyrics
http://vimeo.com/19632313
     So my question to you is::   Is there more to be done in My, Our, Your City?  I have always believed that one of greatest mission fields is in our Back Yard.   There are souls that need to be told about Jesus just in our Neighborhood or around the block.  We do not have to go oversees to do Mission work – we can look at our city and find plenty of opportunities to be missionaries. 
     When I set back and just identified the people on my block – I really had to question myself about what am I doing:  Do I know who they are and Do I really know them good enough to know if they have a relationship with Jesus.   When I moved into my new Home @ a year ago, I made it my goal to know my neighbors..  I can tell you who is on each side of me – but I cannot tell you whether they go to church or if they know Jesus.    So now I have a Mission……….. – and it is right in front of me.     Our Mission should be anyone who is in front of us that may need to know how to have a relationship with Jesus.  
          So Yes there is more to do in my City and Greater Things are to come – because there is no God Like my God.

 My Challenge to all of you would be:

First of all find out who your Neighbors are.

Then get to know them….

You have a Mission NOW>>>>

Bobbyg
 

I have been writing a few times lately that we must be doing something – and then a couple of days ago this scripture was part of my daily devotional.
James 4:17 – If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
WOW – what does that mean – it is a very tough verse to read and be obedient – can we be Obedient to what this verse says?   We all have those times when there is a prompting from the Spirit to do what is good…

1.  Pray for someone.
2. Give to a great cause.
3. Help at the church when there is a need.
4. Share with someone at work or just listen.
5. How about those in need at the side of the street…… – do we pause and give?

This list can go on and mine does…   there are several things that I have been prompted to do – but Time seems to be my biggest excuse for not doing…     Am I in Sin???   This scripture would say that I am…   As my wife stated we are all in Sin – and this scripture can be one that would really hit us in the core of who we are and what we are supposed to be – but we fail miserably.     I am so glad that we have a Forgiving Lord and one that has this Radical Grace that is given to us.
The next day in my Daily Devotional – it had this scripture:    Micah 6:8   He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
And then this Quote by Jase R. – “To do the right thing, while treating people the right way, and the whole time maintaining humility in a walk with God is the simplest form of worship with the most profound impact on our lives and those we come in contact with.”
I do believe that if we walk in Obedience to what Christ has shown us – then we can be that person who is walking in Humility and worshiping our Savior.     There is Hope for us yet – and that we can become all that He would have us be…   by Doing Good.

 So as you go forward this week – listen to those promptings from the Holy Spirit to do Good and act upon them…..

Bobbyg
 

I am reading a Devotional by the Duck Dynasty Flock – and it is great….   Willie was writing on this scripture below and it hit me in many areas of my Daily life that I thought I would share some of my inspirations about the verse (and a few experiences).
Luke: 5:19-20> 19. But they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”
So my thoughts go to:  Do we really do whatever it takes in our daily lives to let people know about Jesus?   I have always believed that our ministry is the person in front of us at the present time.   That can mean the Grocery Checkout person – the Waitress or Waiter – The person taking your money at the Store – How about the person sitting next to you at Church – or the one you just passed on the Road.   When we look at doing ministry in this way – there is one key ingredient – it takes a little bit of our Time to accomplish the mission.
When I am driving:  I am one of those persons that gets from one spot to the next as fast as I can with very few stops.  In my work – I get to travel Wyoming allot and have had those moments when I should have stopped to help someone but knew it would slow me down – so I kept on going.   God has been working on me in this area – a few years back I went by a few of these in need -something happened.   When I got a few miles down, I was extremely prompted to turn around – God was at work and he knew that I struggled with taking a little bit of time out of my current mission of getting where I was going.
Let me explain what happened on a few of these encounters – God had a Mission for me to do.
I stopped for a Grandmother – Mom and Daughters… They had been there for a while and their first comment was.  You must be a Christian – we have been here for a while and no one has stopped – we have been praying for someone like you to stop.   My internal response was “WOW”
Another time it was blowing snow on I80 and I went past a stranded car – @ 5 miles down I had to turn around.  This couple was sitting in a very cold car and all they needed was a push to get them started (it only took me 2 minutes of my time).  They had been sitting there for a while.    (My personnel question to myself was – why did I not stop when I came upon them – they were colder a little bit longer because of me.)

Are you listening to those promptings from God – to do whatever it takes to help someone?   Are you one of those people who has a mission of their own and has a problem taking a little bit of time to do What God is calling you to do?

As in the scripture above – we should be looking for ways to help people in need – especially if it is the Healing that only Jesus can give!

Look for those moments and do Whatever it Takes!!

Bobbyg

I have been traveling for a week at the present time – so sorry it has taken me so long to write another Blog.   I am currently in Gatlinburg TN and the weather has finally turned nice – so Diane and I have enjoyed several walks.
On my way here I had the pleasure of listening to the Book “Happy Happy Happy” by Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty.  It is a great read if you have not read it yet…   At the end he talks about the Great Commission that has been given to us at the end of Matthew.
Matthew: 28: 18-20 > 18 Then Jesus came to them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.”
Phil tells the stories of the people he has brought to Christ – and that he finds ways to tell them of Jesus Christ and his salvation…   In one part he is at the Astrodome in New Orleans and has spent @ one hour telling over 1,000 people how to use his duck calls – and then he proceeds to preach for 45 minutes from his Bible.   This is being Bold about what you Believe IN.
We drove through the Bible belt in KS and OK coming here – they have Big Bill Boards with messages about Jesus….   Someone has been Bold enough to put up the monies to post these messages.
When we arrived in Gatlinburg – we went for a walk downtown on Saturday….   There were these 2 guys that you HAD to pass by on the side walk and they were handing out Smiley Faces…  “Smile Jesus Loves You” – Along with the Smiley face was a Track to explain How to get to Heaven.  This took allot of Boldness – but they were handing out hundreds of them – and they had built a ministry in doing this.  http://sowersofseed.com
My biggest question to you is:   Do the people around you know that you are a Christian….   One of my biggest disappointments in my work was when a co-worker was complaining about Jesus Freaks and then looked at me and asked…  “You aren’t of them are you”?    I never want to get asked that again – but it has taken some Boldness to get me out of my comfort zone to make sure that it does not.

 So as you go forward this week – where does your Boldness come from – do the people around you know that you are a Christian?  Can you tell them about HIS saving Grace and how to get to heaven?

Bobbyg

 

On my last Blog I talked about Randy Gradishar sharing that what is required from us for Obedience to Christ is Simple.   Well my Daily devotion today addressed that topic – but expanded a little more into the fact that simplicity may require some courage on our part to make us successful.
Here is the Scripture that went with it:                  Joshua 1:6-8 – ⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
**This is the Devotion:  (by Cole R) –  “Fear enslaves and confines us.  Anxiety and worrying can devour our minds and take over our thoughts.  But God tells us not to fear and to be strong and courageous.  God wants us to lay our fears aside so we can have a life filled with things that are pleasing to Him.  Don’t think of being strong and courageous as being a hero of saving someone’s life, think of it as doing the little things.  Like maybe:
         **Paying for someone’s Coffee at Starbucks
         **Helping an Elderly lady at the gas pump
         **Saying Hello to someone in the Hallway at school or office
God needs you to be strong and courageous through the little things day by day.”
As you can see – it does not take much to be successful in our Obedience to Christ and have him be evident in our Daily lives.  We do not have a book of LAWS to follow to keep us going forward in the right direction – but we do have the Power of the Holy Spirit within us that will be our guide.

As you go forward this week – look for those simple things that will allow Christ to shine through you.  It does not have to be one of the items above – but please come up with something that will let your light shine.

          **Pay for the person’s meal behind you at McDonalds
          **Grabbing the Cart from someone in the Wal-Mart parking lot and take it inside or to the Cart return
          **Send someone a Card.
 Be Courageous in the Simple things you do this week…..
Bobbyg
 

This is our Fifth Conference and I have to admit – this is the first one that I have actually sat down and really enjoyed the whole event from the inside.   As the GMM CEO – I have always been concerned about different aspects of the Conference and rarely make it inside.  So I only get to enjoy a portion of the event…  never again will I miss out from enjoying it from the inside.    Normally I become so intense and rarely smile that it takes me several days to calm down – on several occasions I can walk by someone that I know – and not even recognize them……  (Just ask Lester)…
I had the pleasure of inviting a young man (Brexton) to join me this year and help me out…    It is sad to say that it sometimes takes the young men of this world to get us re-focused on the important stuff.   Because of Brexton I smiled a couple of times and committed to being on the inside during conference.   I do have to admit it was not easy and it still took me several days to un-wind – but it was amazing (My wife asked me if I was OK at the end – I was in a daze).
“Brexton – Thank You”
What I would like to present to everyone who may have been there are the 5 items that we would want you to take away from the conference and I am going to answer them personally….  So please take time to answer them also.
**If you were not at the Conference – these are areas that you should be working on at all time.

 “Radical Truth and Grace”

GMM 2014 Men’s Conference

•   “To stand up and band together”:   It was great to be in one room and get to worship with a large group of believers with one purpose – to praise the Lord…  The worship team did an Awesome Job at leading us – and if you did not know it – they came from 7 different Church’s.   So – Yes – it was an awesome time be able to Band together with a great group of MEN.
•  “With encouragement and the power that the Holy Spirit gives – all men will go back as warriors”:    I was personally blessed by all the messages the speakers brought…  I can tell you that the message brought out that Jesus is our Role model on going forward as men of God.  As Randy had stated – we need to finish well as Champions for Christ and that his obedience to him in our lives is simple…   *if someone is hungry – feed them.   If someone needs clothes – give them your Bronco Jacket….
• “Your Relationship with Christ would be enhanced to a new spiritual level”:  I have to tell you – I get the pleasure of working up to this one…   In planning for the Conference I get to experience the work of God first hand and it is amazing what that does for my personal relationship with him.  But Yes – My relationship with Christ was even taken to a higher level through the Conference.
• “Your ministry would be enhanced with a greater passion”:   This one I will have to work on – my ministry going forward is being tweaked some and there will be some extreme soul searching on where Christ will be taking that.   The Passion is still there – but at a greater level – not sure just yet – but I see Hope in the Future and Promise of a Greater Passion.
• “You would go forth and support your pastor and his vision”:    1^st and for most – you must belong to a Local church for this to Happen…..   I am proud to say that I go to Calvary Chapel and have an amazing Pastor by the name of Shaun Sells…  It is easy to support Shaun’s Vision and I really like him – he has a great sense of humor – but most of all – I really enjoy his interpretation of the Bible.   My act of worship this year will be to get to know Pastor Shaun so that I can help him in his vision.  I am excited to go forward in this church and I know that he supports me.   (Shaun – it may have to wait until June – I am gone the rest of the month for Mother’s day and Vacation in Tennessee).

So the challenge is to look at each of these items in your daily life and find ways to work on them 365 days a year.   GMM has come up with a new Card and on the front is:    “GMM365” – meaning we should be God’s Mighty Men every day…

If you would like some cards – please send me an email.

gmmgodsmightymen@yahoo.com

Bobbyg

I posted this a couple of months ago and would like to bring it forward once more…  enjoy
I have been enjoying talking about our GMM 2014 Men’s Conference theme this year “Radical Truth and Grace”.  https://godsmightymen.com/  — So several of the guys have come up with meaning for each of the (Radical – Truth – Grace) and I would like to share some of their insight…
Definitions:
Radical:   It literally means to get back to the origin or root.  It also means setting a foundation or going against the norm.  (Obviously the root we’re trying to get back to is Jesus)
Radical:

1.  Of or going to the root of origin: fundamental
2. Thorough going or extreme, especially as regards change from accepted or traditional forms
3. Favoring drastic political, economic, or social reforms
4. Forming a basis or foundation
5. Existing inherently in a thing or person

Truth:  When Christ came to Earth He did and said things against the norm.  He set a foundation of Truth for the Church.  He declared himself as the root of Salvation.
Truth:

1.  The true or actual state of a matter
2. Conformity with fact or reality: verity
3. A verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like
4. The state or character of being true
5. Actuality or actual existence.

Grace:  The radical part of grace is so many Christians expect God to grant them grace while they then to Not give grace to others.  Grace doesn’t say what we are doing is Okay.  God’s grace says He will still love us DESPITE our sin and/or shortcomings and so we should demonstrate the same to others.
Grace:

1.  Favor or goodwill
2. A manifestation of favor, especially by a superior
3. Mercy: clemency: pardon
4. Elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.
5. A Pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.

The above is something to ponder on and see what you can come up with as how it pertains to you and how do you live it…
The best example I like to use is this story:
6They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]
It is the last part that I look at and see Radical Truth and Grace – Jesus did not condemn her – but at the same time he told her to go and sin no more…    Can we do the same???????

 As you look at your week —  look at doing the same – Truth normally comes easy for us to tell people what they should be doing – but the Giving Grace can be a bit harder…

 Bobbyg

My Pastor Shawn started a new Sermon series this week and he talked a little about 1 Thessalonians…   and told us we needed to read it about 42 times in the next few weeks (Well maybe not 42 times but allot).   In my study Bible is has a section for “Check List for Encouragers” and when you read the list – we should all have this gift or be working on how to be an Encourager…  The Scripture comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:  11-23.
1 Thessalonians 5:11-23  ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil.²³ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is a list of what some of the examples are:

•           Build each other up
•           Respect Leaders
•           Live in Peace
•           Warn the Idle
•           Encourage the timid
•           Help the Weak
•           Be Patient
•           Resist revenge
•           Be joyful
•           Pray continually
•           Give Thanks
•           Do not put out the Spirits Fire
•        Avoid every kind of evil
•           Count on the God’s Constant help

As you can see this is a long list of examples for us to build into our everyday lives… I have highlighted the one I would like to work on this week…   I would encourage you to pick one to work on this week..
It is going to be a great week to work on what you see as “Radical Truth and Grace” and these are some great ways to do it…
Hope to see you at the GMM Conference this weekend.
Bobbyg