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
 
 
 

 
From the Pres….   (Jim S)
GMM Brothers,
 God’s power is amazingly!
For we who believe His love and forgiveness is beyond all understanding.
There’s is no love stronger, more lasting and true then His. The promise of grace, love and forgiveness given by the resurrection is a blessing that should not end with our acceptance but is to be amplified and reflected in how we live.
              Tell all who are not saved, you can be forgiven!
 When we accept the forgiveness of Christ, it brings the wonderful gift of profound joy. In Christ we find rest for a weary heart, freedom from shame, and the hope for a glorious future.
 Turn your heart and soul toward Jesus. Confess your need for His love and allow the blood of His sacrifice to cover every part of your life.
 For He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
 God Bless,

This is one of the biggest weekends for us – this is why we call ourselves Christians and our hope comes from Jesus as he goes through his obedience to the Cross…
Jesus is the one we use as an Example to show what “Radical Truth and Grace” means and we are to use him as our Example to live a Christ like life.
I have copied a few versus that have really inspired me this weekend :
From the book of John – it shows that through Jesus Glory of the being God’s only son that he was Grace and Truth that came to earth…
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
          This one I really liked – Moses had brought the Law and then there came Jesus – he was bringing change to a world that was not ready for it in those days – what he brought was a Radical Change…  something that no one was ready for…  it is one of those WOW moments….
The Word Made His Dwelling among Us
John1:  16For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.
          This verse tells it all about TRUTH – it is was sets us free from the earthly things of this world and brings us closer to Christ…   It is only through the truth that Jesus has brought and in his word we can see how to live in this world we are in at the present time….   I know through his truth – life becomes a who lot easier to take……………………..
John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
         This is the best part – GRACE –  it is a gift given to us that is free and not deserved but given to us anyway.   We are Saved and will have eternal life with him if only Believe…     Grace is an Action that you will see us focus on bringing that to life in our own lives…   The Big Question is:   Can we give Grace to all of those around us – just as Christ has given Grace to us…   It is by being in his word (Truth) that we can see how to do this…   Look at the life of Christ and see how he how he did this…    Giving Grace to all of those around us….
Eph 2:7-10  That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  (8)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  (10)  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Grace is giving someone what they do not deserve — can you do that to those around you – it is not an easy concept to live up to – but when you your life exemplifies this – it is when you see Christ working through you – WOW….

 It is a great weekend….

“Radical Truth and Grace”

 
Bobbyg

A note from the GMM President:  Jim S.
The chronical of Jesus during His final days is a sad story.
 We are told of the last supper with those He loved. told of His betrayal, His pain and ultimately of His death.
 But there is more, for those of us who believe there is so much more! The story of Easter doesn’t end with a rock rolled in front of the tomb.
 It is the witnessed account of victory beyond this life and includes the triumph and joy of His Amazing Grace.

This Easter take a moment to gather with family and friends to reflect on the Radical Truth of His life and the gift of Grace we have been freely given.
 Have a Blessed and Happy Easter

 

I have a Daily Devotional that I read every day from the Duck Commander – it is awesome…   Willie just wrote a series of Devotionals about Joseph and it is one more person that reminded about our GMM 2014 Men’s Conference Theme…   You will see me writing about this theme up to May 3^rd.
“Radical Truth and Grace”                   As you know the story of Joseph and the Jealousy of his brothers had towards him, because of their father’s favoritism towards him…   Eventually they kidnapped him – dumped him in a pit – but then sold him into Slavery.  Some of us who have younger Brothers can relate to the Brothers and may have done the same if we could.  My youngest Brother was also favored – and by my Grand Parents also…. but we did not hurt him too much.
But now Joseph was different in another way – the Lord was with Joseph the whole time he was in captivity and he prospered in his circumstances…
Genesis: 39: 2 & 3 – 2The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did…………….
               The same can be for us if our focus is on Christ and we are in his word…. we can prosper through all the tough times and temptations.   When we look at the truth that Christ has given us and are obedient to his calling for us – we will be successful.   This is the Radical Truth of Joseph – he believed in the Lords calling on him and was Obedient to the path that was given to him.
Now comes the Radical Grace part of Joseph…   As you know the rest of the story – famine came upon the country and eventually his brothers had come to him for help.  Joseph had a choice to make – and he had the power to administer justice to his brothers and they would be deserving of it.   But what was his response???
Genesis 45: 4 > 7:  4Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ^A
 How many of us could have done what Joseph did – giving Grace to your brothers who do not deserve it.   But like Joseph we can do the same – Christ has given us the example of what Radical Grace truly is.

• Can we look back and see God’s hand at work in our Lives?
•  Can we respond the same way as Joseph did?
• Can we see Joy through all the trials and temptations that are put in our path?

 As you start your week – look at the story of Joseph and compare it to what Christ might have in store for you – but then make it your goal to respond as Joseph did – IN Obedience!!

“Radical Truth and Grace”

 Bobbyg
 

I was traveling for the last couple of Days and heard my favorite Artist “Carmen” playing on KSLT from Rapid City SD.   For those of you who know me – Carmen can get me going and he will be doing my Funeral Service.   I had to give one of my best friends the details and CD’s on my Last Wishes….  my wife was not too thrilled about what I had planned (LOL)  but it will be great.
Well the Song that was playing was:                                                          Enjoy…..
We Need God in America Again –   Carmen – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb9s4Y54adk
You will see me writing allot about What Radical Truth and Grace –   and what that Means to me in the next few weeks as this is our Theme for the upcoming GMM Conference and this song brings it out.    When Jesus came to earth He brought with him Change about what Truth was and then he showed us this Grace that most people did not understand…    The words to this song remind me that we still need that Truth and Grace today as much as we needed back then.
Here are the lyrics – enjoy reading them.

 George Washington, Thomas Jefferson
Samuel Adams, First Chief Justice John Jay
Names synonymous with the spirit of our country
Founding fathers of the U.S.A.

Over 200 years ago they shook off the chains of tyranny from Great Britain
By divine call
Citing 27 biblical violations they wrote the Declaration of Independence
With liberty and justice for all

But something happened since Jefferson called the Bible the cornerstone
For American liberty then put it in our schools as a light
Or since “Give me liberty, or give me death,” Patrick Henry said
Our country was founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ

We eliminated God from the equation of American life
Thus eliminating the reason this nation first began
From beyond the grave I hear the voices of our founding fathers plead
You need God in America again

Of the 55 men who formed the Constitution
Fifty-two were active members of their church
Founding fathers like Noah Webster who wrote the first dictionary
Could literally quote the Bible chapter and verse

James Madison said, “We’ve staked our future on our ability to follow
The Ten Commandments with all our heart”
These men believed you couldn’t even call yourself an American
If you subvert the Word of God

In his farewell address, Washington said, “You can’t have national morality apart from religious principle,” and it’s true
‘Cause right now we have nearly 150,000 kids carrying guns
To these war zones we call public schools

In the ’40’s and ’50’s student problems were chewing gum and talking
In the ’90’s, rape and murder are the trend
The only way this nation can even hope to last this decade
Is put God in America again

The only hope for America is Jesus
The only hope for our country is Him
If we repent of our ways stand firm and say
We need God in America again

Abe Lincoln said, “The philosophy of the classroom in one generation
Will be the philosophy of government of the next”
So when you eliminate the Word of God from the classroom and politics
You eliminate the nation that Word protects

America is now number one in teen pregnancy and violent crime
Number one in illiteracy, drug use, and divorce
Everyday a new holocaust of 5,000 unborn die
While pornography floods our streets like open sewers

America’s dead and dying hand is on the threshold of the Church
While the spirit of Sodom and Gomorrah vex us all
When it gets to the point where people would rather
Come out of the closet than clean it
It’s a sign that the judgment of God is gonna fall

If there’s ever been a time to rise up Church, it’s now
And as the blood bought saints of the living God proclaim
That it’s time to sound the alarm from the Church house to the White House
And say, “We want God in America again”

I believe it’s time for America to stand up and proclaim
That one nation under God is our demand
And send this evil lifestyle back to Satan where it came from
And let the Word of God revive our dying land

For Jesus Christ is coming back again in all His glory
And every eye shall see Him on that day
That’s why a new anointing of God’s power’s coming on us
To boldly tell the world you must be saved

Because astrology won’t save you, your horoscope won’t save you
The Bible says these things are all a farce
If you’re born again, you don’t need to look to the stars for your answers
‘Cause you can look to the very One who made those stars

History tells us time and time again
To live like there’s no God makes you a fool
If you want to see kids live right
Stop handing out condoms and start handing out the Word of God in schools

The only hope for America is Jesus
The only hope for our country is Him
If we repent of our ways
Stand firm and say
We need God in America again

We need God in America
God in America
God in America again

   As the song says – “Our only hope for America is Jesus”   –   I believe that Jesus is the only hope for the world – it is only through him that we can be saved…   I am seeing a Revival coming around again and I am seeing Men seeking out God for their answers…  it is an Awesome sight to encounter….     There is this Passion that is starting to be contagious and Truth and Grace abounding…

See you at the Conference….  

Bobbyg

This week at church one of the Worship Songs was We Believe from the Newsboys:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVo2nEF_qag  Lyrics below…    As it was playing – I was thinking about when GMM started and we needed to have a Statement of Faith that we could all stand upon.  We came up with 5 principles that we believed to be a must if we were going to stand as one in unity in what our foundation should be.    This song makes some great points on what we should see as a foundation of beliefs as we stand for Christ Jesus.
When you listen to the Story behind the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV2jehiI0Ok  it was inspired by a Great Man by the name of Billy Graham who was a Rock for Christianity.
Please read the lyrics below and enjoy listening to the song…

“We Believe”

In this time of desperation
When all we know is doubt and fear
There is only One Foundation
We believe, We believe
In this broken generation
When all is dark, You help us see
There is only One Salvation
We believe, We believe

Chorus:

So, let our faith be more than anthems
Greater than the songs we sing
And in our weakness and temptations
We believe, We believe!

Chorus:

Let the lost be found and the dead be raised!
In the here and now, let love invade!
Let the church live love our God will see
We believe, We believe!
And the gates of hell will not prevail!
For the power of God, has torn the vail!
Now we know Your love will never fail!
We believe, We believe!

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life!
We believe in the crucifixion!
We believe that He conquered death!
We believe in the resurrection!
And He’s comin’ back,
He’s comin’ back again!
He’s comin’ back again!
We believe!
We believe

I am truly inspired by the words “We Believe”   as a Christian we should be known for what that is…  If Christ is truly shining and working through us – those around us will know what it is that we believe in.    I have been working on being more courageous in my walk and as another song would state – being a little reckless.  The words of being “Politically Correct” can often hold us back on what we are really supposed to be doing in the name of Jesus Christ.   If you have not read my Blog on “Radical Truth and Grace” – please go back and read it.    Christ is our prime example of what it means to………

“WE BELIEVE”

 
Bobbyg

I have had the following scripture on my mind lately and I have to tell you it has been extremely hard to grasp at the present time:
James 1:2-4:  Trials and Temptations
2. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3. because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
I have set down with a couple of friends who are going through some tough times in different ways and asked them.   “How do you see Joy in what you are going through?”   Here was an awesome response from one of them:  “I can go to bed with tears – but in the morning comes Joy once more.”   His perspective of getting up in the morning and starting it with Joy – what does that look like…   For each of us it will be something different – but we must find out what it is and start each morning that way.   I have to let you know that I recently had coffee with him – and there is this passion that I have seen in him from that past –   and it is back again.
The other friend I sat down with and asked him the same question came up with an Awesome answer also.   The Joy we search for in a worldly sense is not the Joy we should be looking for.   We must be looking for the Joy that only comes from Jesus Christ and the eternal life we will spend with him someday.   He is correct – during those tuff times we should be looking at Christ and then we can look at the verse above and see if we are really experiencing what was meant for us for good.
One of my daily devotions that I have on my computer at work has helped me through some of those tough times that I have been experiencing.
“I AM able to do far beyond all that you ask or imagine.  Come to Me with a positive expectations, knowing that there is no limit to what I can accomplish.  Ask My Spirit to control your mind, so that you can think great thoughts of Me.  Do not be discouraged by the fact that many of your prayers are yet unanswered.  Time is a trainer, teaching you to wait upon Me, to trust Me in the dark.  The more extreme your circumstances, the more likely you are to see My Power and Glory at work in the situation.  Instead of letting difficulties draw you into worrying, try to view them as setting the scene for My glorious intervention.  Keep your eyes and your mind wide open to all that I am doing in your life.”

 So please re-read the scripture above and remember what is meant for you to experience and why as you go through those tough times.

Bobbyg                   Leigh and Brandon – thanks for the wisdom you shared with me.
 

Matthew West is coming to town again on April 25^th – https://www.facebook.com/events/748643355154590/   on his Acoustic Tour and if you have read some of my blogs – you will know that my wife and I have really enjoyed his song “Do Something” since we heard it last October.  Shawn has been preaching from Matthew this year and the last couple of weeks has tweaked my thoughts on what does it mean to “Do Something”.    Well in the following scripture – it may be just being aware of the people around you and meeting their needs.
Matthew 25:34-40    ³⁴ “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, my Father has blessed you! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. ³⁵ I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home. ³⁶ I needed clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
³⁷ “Then the people who have God’s approval will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you as a stranger and take you into our homes or see you in need of clothes and give you something to wear? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
⁴⁰ “The king will answer them, ‘I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did for me.’
 
But now in Chapter 26^th – it changes just a little and that we must not forget to worship Jesus– he must be our #1 priority as to why we serve.
 Matthew 26:6-13
⁶ While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, ⁷ a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
⁸ When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. ⁹ “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
¹⁰ Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ¹¹ The poor you will always have with you,^[a] but you will not always have me. ¹² When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. ¹³ Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
***Lessons of Mary’s Life:  *The busyness of serving God can become a barrier to knowing him personally                       **Small acts of obedience and service have widespread affects.
 
This last part of Lessons of Mary’s life that I got from my study Bible really kind of hit the spot for me….   We must be going forward in the act of “Doing Something” it is part of the obedience that Christ requires from us and we must be aware of the people around us in helping them with their needs.   But at the same time we need to be extremely careful that we do not get so caught up in serving others that we forget the most important part of “Doing Something”.  Our relationship with Jesus is our #1 priority and we must be continually working on getting to know him in a much deeper way.

 So as I go forward this week – my prayer will be that I do not forget to make Jesus my #1 Priority – And at the same time as the song says – I must “Do Something”.

**Remember they must see Jesus in us as he is working through us…

 Bobbyg
 
 

A note from Jim Schamerhorn from his Daily devotion:
More from “Day Spring”  devotional ——- good stuff!
Amazing RADICAL Grace
 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He continues to love us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
 For by grace you have been saved through faith.
And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:4-10
 God Bless Brother,
 Jim Schamerhorn