A great Question to ponder on – Whom Shall I Fear….
In my preparing for my Monday Night Bible study – the scripture was Acts 9: 1 > 19 – the story of Paul on his way to Damascus to persecute more Christians.  This was when Paul had a special encounter with Jesus and I would bet this question became real.
As many of us have done – we believe that we are doing GOD’s work only to find out – he has a better plan for us.  Paul’s plan seemed to have been extremely misguided but he believed in it with all his heart.  There is this saying in the study “We can make the Plans, but the Lord determines the Steps”.   We probably will not have the encounter Paul did to change the direction we are going, but if we keep persevering in God’s will – he will make his ways known to us.
Now where does our Fear fall – is it in the Material parts of this world or is in the Great Wisdom that comes from the Fear of the Lord.  I am one of those Seasoned people who had always feared what the world was looking at…   Money – Possessions – Success – Having Great Friends – Family – Money – stuff…   I was a late bloomer when it came to the Paul experience and God changed my world.  It does happen – we just have to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
In the Study I am doing “Quiet Strength” from Tony Dungy – he has a great comment…  “God had already selected the team I would be coaching.  I just needed to do my current job well, keep preparing, and wait on God’s timing.  I needed to trust His leadership, rather than try to force an outcome I wanted.”
WOW – what a statement – I being one of those who expierenced a Paul awakening late in life – I could see God’s timing in the molding of what he would have me be.   I am starting down that Paul journey with a whole new look at life, but it is an amazing Journey that I know will have my Fear being directed towards Christ.
But as Paul and Tony had done – “You have to be doing your current job well – and keep your focus on the one directing your steps”
Bobbyg

I attended church today at NCC to be with my Dad –  but my brother forget to bring him… well not really, Dad was sick so I enjoyed sitting with my third brother Lloyd G..  The Sermon was on Change – Choice and Checking In-Out-Up and was using the Scripture in 2 Peter.
The Topic of Change and Choice really stood out for me…  @ 5 years ago I had decided to one of those Retired Christians –  I had put my dues in and was ready to be a seasoned one.  Well these Versus brought back an area that God had hit me hard with –  “FAITH”.
                    2^nd Peter 1: vs. 5-8:            ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
            Can You see the progression:  Goodness – Knowledge – Self Control – Perseverance – Godliness – Affection – Love.  And then it ends with – “This will keep you from being Ineffective and Productive”.   WOW….   We have a Choice to make (Old or Young) and with that choice comes Change.  One of the main words that stood out for me was Perseverance – this is a must in our Christian Walk.
The Direction I had chosen 5 years ago would have been wrong and when I paused and listened to some great wisdom – I knew I was wrong.   That is where the knowledge came in and one of the ways I keep this intact today is by being involved with a couple of Men’s groups.  In these Groups is where I work on the other qualities to keep increasing my knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I met with a future Nephew In-law yesterday and he reaffirmed that we really need to keep this intact (James – thank YOU).
So which part of that progression are you at and what are you doing to go forward?   Please remember that the Lord is (2^nd Peter 3:9 second part of the verse) “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance”.  
   So my closing words would be – there is no Retirement for any Christian and we must Preserver in going forward in our Christian Walk
 Bobby G           comments can be sent to bobbyg@godsmightymen.com

I attended a CAE (Cheyenne Association of Evangelicals) Meeting today and was truly blessed to see visionaries (Tom Perea – thanks) coming from this Group.   They were excited about getting about 20 to 30 churches together and bring in the Covey of Hope – a group that has a passion to feed the world.    It reminded me of the scripture:
Matthew 18:20 – For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
WOW – what would that look like – “The Church” coming together as one to serve the community?   It has been an amazing site to see our local Pastors having a Vision of coming together and being united in one cause.
When the GMM Board came together to come up with a Theme for this year’s GMM men’s Conference   “Activate Your Faith” – one of the main driving factors was finding a project to unit men.     The GMM Board had come up with some ideas (Going Forward Like a Crash of Rhinos –  Living Your Faith – Faith)  but after a great meeting with a couple of Local Pastor =  we came up with our Powerful Theme.
Roger Whitmore and I were having Lunch and discussing a Topic that another Pastor (Velcro) had mentioned to me and it was amazing to see The Power of the Spirit at work.   Velcro had mentioned putting together a service project in the Down Town area to help people out….   Roger had stated – that it would be Great to see men   “Activate Their Faith” – then came the Theme.
So after the Meeting today – there it was — a project that all the Churches in Cheyenne could do to come together and “Activate Their Faith” as “The Church”.
The message would be a Powerful one when people of this area see Faith in Action and get to experience the Power of Churches being united.
So Guys as we go forward – please be praying for this event on August 31^st to come together and be successful.
BobbyG                  Comments can be sent to bobbyg@godsmightymen.com
PS – I still like the theme “Going Forward Like a Crash of Rhinos”  JJ

I have one of those Head things going again – there is allot of stuff bouncing around up there, pushing all my hair out.   God has me focusing on what is around me and what can I do about it…  as my friend Nick would say – We need to be doing GOOD.  There was also a cartoon on Sunday and it took this person until end of January to figure out what his New Year’s resolution was – Doing Good, not being Good.
So some of that stuff that has been bouncing around my head – looks like this.

1.  My Wife:  Work has been consuming for both of us – but it is great that we are able to look to the future and plan on vacations – retirement – ministries – friends.
2. My work place:  I have been struggling with my work partner and God has been prompting me to go forward with Grace….. My Head says that he does not deserve it – and I have convinced myself that I need to be right…  Well Grace won and work is going allot better now because of my Obedience.  Man that was hard – but much more beneficial.
3. I have been really busy getting ready for the GMM Conference – but I had to pause and look around at what God is doing through everyone.  WOW
   1.  Vicki at the Civic Center put together a brief description of our Event that is posted on their Web Site…  Awesome – if you have not seen it – you need to look.
   2. Prayer.  Pastor Grant started the Fervent prayer group up again….  Prayer is a must for the event and is crucial if it is to be successful.
   3. The GMM Team…   It is great to see the work God is doing through all of them…  Jim and I were talking about how great all the different parts of getting ready were all coming together in some great ways…   Guys – thank you.
4.  Family:  My dad has Altimerzz and I have really enjoyed our visits lately – telling him that I am grateful for him and that I love him…  and that he is the root of where I am today. *I have to tell him about 10 times each visit – but that is OK.
5. Church:  Pastor Shawn…  I really enjoy his interpretation of the Bible and its applications have helped in many ways… and his sense of humor keeps a smile on my face.

As you can see – we really need to sit back and see what is going on around us and be thankful…  and then we need to take the next step and start doing Good in these areas that God has placed us.
But remember doing Good requires:          Obedience           Grace                   Searching                Diligence             Watching             Willingness          Heart                    Love                     Shepherd
The list goes on – but we must be observant to what goes around us and be Christ Like.   WWJD
 
Bobby G.
 
Comments may be sent to:  bobbyg@godsmightymen.com
 
 

Job:   everyone once in a while I believe we need to take a Job Check and see how God is molding us.   In my quiet time I have been reading Job and the word Molding has been coming up allot lately.  As Job – when God Molds us he has a purpose – and sometimes it is a very unpleasant ordeal.
The verses in Chapter 5 versus 17 thru 27 have stood out to me this time reading through it – vs. 17  “Blessed is the man whom God corrects: so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty”. Then finishes with vs. 27 “We have examined this, and it is true.  So hear it and apply it to yourself”.  With the in-between part explaining to not fear – God will protect us and take us through the ordeal with rewards at the end.
Most of us will never have to experience what Job did, but like Job – God will direct us to serve him in greater ways – bigger than anything we could have imagined.   The biggest concern is when we are going through the process – what does that look like.

1.  Will we rejoice and worship God.
2. Will it be Woe is Me….
3. Will we question God as to Why.
4. Will we take what God has done and do great things with the new you.

God’s work through us can be a mighty event if we allow ourselves to examine the purpose and apply it.  In the end Job was victorious and his rewards were great – but the in-between took Discipline and Obedience.  We must trust in God….
One last reflection:  Job’s Friends….     My wife received a quote that talked about reflecting on old friends and sometimes they are not meant to be in our future..   Hmmmmmm — do you think Job’s friends were still around when God finished his story…   I would hope that our impact on our friends – even if they are not in our future – would have been one to help them get through a Job experience and that God can do mighty works through them also.
So go get your Job fix now…….   Or maybe you’re already in it… – but remember they must see Jesus in you as you finish well.
Bobby G

Submitted By:   Kerry Bailey
Just recently, quite unexpectedly, my Dad passed away. It wasn’t as if it was incomprehensible – he was 92 and on oxygen for COPD – but there had been no real urgent concern. It actually happened in a way he probably couldn’t have scripted it any better: he went out for lunch with friends, drove home, sat in his easy chair, and passed on. Very quietly and peacefully.

I love you! Miss you! Take care.

Day 21: Daniel Fast 2013

Beloved of God,
The word “revival” means “resuscitation and/or restoration back to life”. Over many centuries, the church has used this word to define the infilling and outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon a person which ignites or reinvigorates the LIFE of Christ’s within their spirit, soul, and body. When someone experiences personal revival, they have a present tense white-hot love for Jesus expressed in total obedience. They hate sin, repent quickly, enjoy happy holiness, live morally pure, cultivate a secret life in God, walk in the fear of the Lord, and are marked by intense love for God and others. Revival results in humble service and bold witness.
The essence of revival is to fully submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, who lives within your heart (spirit & soul). Revival involves being a.) baptized in the Holy Spirit, b.) filled with the Holy Spirit, c.) empowered by the Holy Spirit, d.) manifesting the fruit of the Spirit, e.) wisdom and revelation of the Spirit, f.) identity as sons by the Spirit, g.) leadership of the Holy Spirit. Everything we long to see happen on earth starts with personal revival. Lk. 3:16-; Acts 1-2; Gal. 5:22; Rom.8; Eph. 1:17-18; Eph. 4:30, 5:18  In his book entitled “Personal Revival: God’s Way of Setting Our Hearts On Fire”, Steve Hill writes: “Thinking that revival can only come in great earth-shaking outpourings of the Spirit, we have overlooked the fact that it is first and foremost a personal experience. When God revives His people, He has to start with someone because the Church only consists of individual believers. Where else can spiritual renewal take place but in the lives of individuals? The Church is not a building! There is no abstract “Church” which can be revived apart from the men and women who make up the Church. For us to have revival in our generation, we are going to have to do far more than merely think of it in general terms. Each of us must take personal responsibility to cry out for a fresh, radical encounter with the Living Christ. The refining fire of God must consume the impotency of our own lives before we can ever expect it to spread to an indifferent world. Are we willing to face the searching questions of Charles Finney, the great revivalist of the 19th century? “If God should ask you this moment, by an audible voice from heaven, ‘Do you want a revival?’ Would you dare to say, Yes? ‘Are you willing to make the sacrifices?’ Would you answer, Yes? ‘When shall it begin?’ Would you answer, Let it begin today—let it begin here—let it begin in my heart now? This is always a major key to spiritual breakthrough! We must never forget that “I” is always central to the word “revival.” When we understand this principle, we cannot help but be encouraged! Nothing can keep us from the revival we so desperately need if we want it badly enough. Each of us who desires God’s best will immediately become the focus of the personal care and attention of the Holy Spirit. Regardless of the spiritual environment that surrounds us, the Spirit of God will deal with our hearts as exclusively as if no others existed. Let each of us, therefore, determine afresh to hold nothing back from Christ, so we can become carriers of revival wherever we may be, allowing the Spirit of God to fan the flame worldwide!”
An individual needs great personal commitment in Christ to experience revival. However, one cannot achieve and sustain personal revival without intentional church community. Find other believers that are passionate about personal revival and the restoration of the church. Then, together, go after Jesus with all your hearts. Here are some suggestions:
“Formula” For Revival by A. W. Tozer

1. Get thoroughly dissatisfied with yourself. Complacency is the deadly enemy of spiritual progress. The contented soul is a stagnant soul.
2. Set your face like a flint toward a sweeping transformation of your life.  Timid experiments are tagged for failure before they start. We must throw our whole soul into our desire for God.
3. Put yourself in the way of blessing. It’s a mistake to expect God’s help to come as a windfall apart from conditions known and met.  To desire revival, and at the same time to neglect prayer and devotion, is to wish one way and walk another.
4. Do a thorough job of repenting. Hasty repentance means a shallow spiritual experience. Let godly sorrow do her healing work. It is our wretched habit of toleration sin that keeps us in our half-dead condition.
5. Make restitution wherever possible. If you owe a debt pay it. If you have quarreled with anyone, go as far as you can to achieve reconciliation. As fully as possible, make the crooked straight.
6. Bring your life into accord with the Sermon on the Mount and other such New Testament Scriptures as are designed to instruct in the way of righteousness. An honest man with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what’s wrong with him quickly.
7. Be serious minded. The people of the world used to go to the movies to escape serious thinking about God and religion. There must be a radical change in  your habits, or there will not be any permanent improvement in your interior life.
8. Deliberately narrow your interests. Too many projects use up time and energy without bringing us nearer to God.  The mansions of the heart will become larger when the doors are thrown open to Christ and closed against the world and sin.
9. Begin to witness. Find something to do for God, and your fellowman. Make yourself available. Do anything you are asked to do. Learn to obey.
10. Have faith in God. Begin to expect. Look up toward the throne. All heaven is on your side. God will not disappoint you.
11. These suggestions constitute a formula for personal revival. When personal revival is experienced, there is no knowing how far it may spread. The Church is in desperate need of a spiritual resurrection and it can only come through the revived individual.

How To Experience & Maintain Personal Revival by Bill Bright:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any unconfessed sin in your life.
2. Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you. Make restitution where God leads.
3. Examine your motives in every word and deed. Ask the Lord to search and cleanse your heart daily.
4. Ask the Holy Spirit to guard your walk against complacency and mediocrity.
5. Praise and give thanks to God continually in all ways on all days, regardless of your circumstances.
6. Refuse to obey your carnal (worldy) nature (Galatians 5:16,17).
7. Surrender your life to Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Develop utter dependence on Him with total submission and humility.
8. Study the attributes of God.
9. Hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6).
10. Love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).
11. Appropriate the continual fullness and control of the Holy Spirit by faith on the basis of God’s command (Ephesians 5:18) and promise (1 John 5:14,15).
12. Read, study, meditate on, and memorize God’s holy, inspired, inerrant Word daily (Colossians 3:16).
13. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
14. Fast and pray one 24-hour period each week. Prayerfully consider becoming one of the two million Christians who will fast for forty days before the end of the year 2000.
15. Seek to share Christ daily as a way of life.
16. Determine to live a holy, godly life of obedience and faith.
17. Start or join a home or church Bible study group that emphasizes revival and a holy life.

Sent in by Dan J. Cheever
“He’s religious” One definition of religious is: “treated or regarded with a devotion and scrupulousness (conformity to high standards of ethics or excellence) appropriate to worship.” To some, saying those words about someone is meant to be complimentary. To others, it’s said to warn others to stay as far away from that person as possible. I do not wish to be known as someone who’s religious because too many horrific things have been done in the name of religion. Religion is a hindrance, a diversion, even a destructive fabrication of man. I believe the Bible speaks about this very thing. Consider Jesus’ words in:
Matthew 15:7-9 (NKJV)
Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: [8] ‘ These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. [9] And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'” (Isaiah 29:13)
Mark 7:3-4 (NKJV)
For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. [4] When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.
Jesus was making a comparison – either we can choose to be religious and hold on to the commandments of men, the traditions of men and have our hearts be far from Him and worship Him in vain or we can choose to do as His disciples did (and expect religious people of our day to judge and make false accusations of us, which by the way, is what satan often does – that’s why satan is referred to in Scripture as the accuser of the brethren) and follow the leading of Jesus Christ through the indwelling of His Spirit within us (trusting God, believing that He is worthy of our faith), concerning ourselves with only His commandments and His will.
Galatians 3:10-11 (NKJV)
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” [11] But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”
Galatians 3:10-11 makes it clear that those who are under the law (trying to please God by legalism – excessive adherence to law or formula or being “religious”) are under the curse, not because the law is evil, but because men simply will not fulfill all the righteous demands of the law, and hence will be in violation of it! Paul’s point in the Galatians passage is that there simply is no way for man to keep the law in its entirety. Not only is this true of the Law of Moses, but any law that man might create – ironically, we don’t even live up to our own standards! So, this is  a very powerful point – legalism brings condemnation and a curse, while faith in the One who “justifies the ungodly” (notice it is the ungodly that are justified – not the self-righteous) brings righteousness! Christ is our Justifier because He fulfilled the Law.
Romans 8:8 (NKJV)
So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 (NKJV)
Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; [2] for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
1 Peter 4:14 (NKJV)
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
And finally:
Romans 12:1-2 (AMP)
I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies presenting all your members and faculties as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. [2] Do not be conformed to this world (this age), fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs, but be transformed (changed) by the entire renewal of your mind by its new ideals and its new attitude, so that you may prove for yourselves what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect in His sight for you.
In Christ,
Dan J. Cheever

      This is going to be a great year for GMM (God’s Mighty Men) – The GMM Team is excited about the new format that will be presented at this year’s Men’s Conference being held at the Civic Center.  But GMM is not a Men’s Conference – it is God’s Mighty Men – You Guys.  So what does that look like for 2013?????    It will be different for everyone you – but here are some of my insights. 

1. 1.   Our Theme of Activate your Faith will become real for all of us…  This is a year of uncertainty for all – I see us being extremely active in the Great Commission: 

Matthew 28:16-20  ¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 How that looks for each of you will be different – but the most important thing is that they see Jesus in all that you do. 

1. 2.  Grace and Forgiveness:   This will be a must for all – but will be extremely hard to do.   Please read this blog: https://godsmightymen.com/2012/09/20/forgiveness-grace-what-would-jesus-do   
2. 3.  Reckless: the words of Jeremy Camp are right on in his song RECKLESS…  and it finished with this quote:  “I won’t waste any more time – My life’s Yours it is not mine – Use me Lord no matter what’s at stake”       read the rest of the lyrics at:
   http://www.klove.com/music/artists/jeremy-camp/songs/reckless-lyrics.aspx
3. 4.  Barbarians for Christ:    I had put into place a theme of “Going forward like a Crash of Rhinos” which I really enjoyed from the Barbarian Way.  Another Blog to read and enjoy.  https://godsmightymen.com/2012/08/06/we-must-be-like-tigers-and-rhinos/
4. 5.  Love:  This will be required in allot of different areas of your life and will be one of your biggest challenges.   But as Christ stated – it is the Biggest Commandment of all.

**Our biggest growth area this year will be our Relationship with Jesus Christ…   As he molds us this year to be like him – it will hurt – but you will never turn back to the old you.
These are just a few items to ponder on – but it is a year of great challenges and Gods Mighty Men will be victorious.
Bobby G   
Comments can be sent to bobbyg@godsmightymen.com  
 

That is a great question:  Does God have a Sense of Humor??? (You get to answer this one:)   I believe that we should have happiness in our lives and that we really need to laugh out loud at times.  What would life be like if no one laughed or smiled?????
Sometimes we believe that we have to be serious at all times and be extremely mature in all that we do….   What do you think????   I personally believe that we need to enjoy life and that means having a great sense of Humor that is a great gift from God.
I was visiting and praying with one of my mightiest friends this Morning (Mike P) and one of the things we discussed is:   We must surround ourselves with Positive People – this is a must and it is extremely contagious.  When you are constantly around negative people – that will pull you down and you will become like them.  There will be no happiness or laughs – you will be focused on what is wrong in the world.   So find those people who Laugh and have a gift of Humor – better yet you be the one with a gift of Humor and Mighty Laughs…  **But remember you will need to the one who is Contagious to those who need to be uplifted out of a Negative life style.
Just a quick note on what brought me around to this topic…  one my other mighty friends (Jim S) forwarded me this message below on “God has such a Sense of Humor.. “  Please read and enjoy.  It made me laugh at just the right time….
Bobby G
GOD HAS SUCH A SENSE OF HUMOR
A woman was at work when she received a phone call that her small daughter was very sick with a fever.
She left work and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication.
She got back to her car and found that she had locked her keys in the car.
She didn’t know what to do.
She called home and told the baby sitter what had happened.
The baby sitter told her that the fever was getting worse. She said: “You might
find a coat hanger and use that to open the door.”
The woman looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had been
left on the ground, possibly by someone else who at some time had locked
their keys in their car.
She looked at the hanger and said: “I don’t know how to use this.”
She bowed her head and asked God to send her HELP.
Within five minutes a beat up old motorcycle pulled up.
A bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag on his head.
The woman thought: “This is what you sent to help me?”
However, she was desperate.
The man got off of his cycle and asked if he could help.
She said: “Yes, my daughter is very sick. I stopped to get her some medication
and I’ve locked my keys in my car. I must get home to her. Please, can you
use this hanger to unlock my car?”
He said: “Sure.” He walked over to the car, and in less than a minute the car was opened.
She hugged the man and through her tears she said: “Thank You SO Much! You are a very nice man.”
The man replied: “Lady, I am NOT a nice man. I just got out of PRISON
yesterday, I was in prison for car theft.”
The woman hugged the man again and with sobbing tears cried
out loud: “Oh, thank you God! You even sent me a Professional!!”
Is GOD good or what!!??  
I believe that she was a great gift to the man who just got out of prison also…  (My last thought – Bobby G)
Comments can be sent to bobbyg@godsmightymen.com