For many years I thought it was my duty to judge Everyone, what a lie from the enemy. As I grew and learned the Truth of Christ quickly I realized how wrong I was. Though scripture tells us to judge the fruit of a believer, it never tells us to judge his or her heart, that belongs only to our Lord. We are to gently correct them always in Love.   Mat: 7:1 Do not judge so you will not be judged & more important verse 2.
     We should always keep in mind that when we start to judge another person believer or not that God will hold you responsible for your words and action. Mat: 7:5 should be the first thing that comes to your mind, YOU Hypocrite. That should scare you enough to stop you in your tracks and get you back to where you should be.
      By no means am I saying I have this down. I have BLOWN IT many times, but as we mature in Christ are action and words should reflect that we are trying to live a life as HE instructs us to live.
 Jay

“Radical Truth and Grace” what does that look like – what does that mean…?   The best way that I can describe how this means to me is when Jesus came upon a group of people who were going to stone this women for being an adulterous.  (John 7:52 > 8:11)
Jesus encountered a group of Pharisees that were going to stone this Adulteress because of her sinful life style – and they were justified by the Law to do this.   Then they asked Jesus what he would do….  (Jesus was writing something on the ground).   Jesus response was that whoever has not committed a sin to be the first one to cast a stone.   As you know the rest of the story,  no one could cast a stone and walked away.   When all this was done – then Jesus asked her where they had all gone – and had no one condemned her?  No one had..  Jesus next response was:  “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
How many times are we like the Pharisees?  We Judge someone for their sinful life styles and we are ready to send them straight hell because of their life styles.   As in this story:  is their sin any greater than ours (answer – John 19) – are we going to cast the stone?  My Friend Nick and I have been discussing this allot lately because of where his ministry is taking him.   I have to admit – I was throwing some very large stones at what life style we were discussing.   Nick’s response would be:  We need to be telling people that God Wishes that all people would be in Heaven with him ,  instead of telling them that they are going to Hell if they do not change their ways “Grace”.   Then we proceed to tell them about Jesus   “The Truth”.         “Radical”
As we encounter people – How is our response when we really disagree with them – whether it be for:   a life style – political affiliations – which church do they go too?   I would encourage you to do as Jesus had done in the story above –   “Radical Truth and Grace”
Bobbyg

It has been a couple of weeks since the GMM Conference “Activate Your Faith” and I have had the pleasure of some great Quiet times in driving several miles all over Wyoming since then.  During this time – God has been talking to me about one of the main accomplishments we want everyone to get from the Conference.
“We wanted guys to Enhance their relationship with Christ”
“Hebrews 12:14-15:  ¹⁴ Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
     This scripture has taught me that we must get rid of the junk in our life daily to be able to allow Christ to do his work in our lives.  That would be the stuff that separates us from Him.

1.  Addictions:  this was covered at the Conference.
2. Relationships that have gone astray.
3. Finances
4. Abuse to you or a family member

**the list goes on – but each of us has something that will keep our relationship with Christ from going to the next level.
I had one of those things that I held on for almost 20 years that I had justified as being right and God did not have a problem with how I felt.  Someone had abused one of my kids and I seen that person as unforgiveable and deserving Death.  I read the book “The Shack” one day and then had a great conversation with one of my 2am guys (we will visit later about having a 2am guy).   I thought that the book was real – but it was the author coming up with a way to explain to his Children the different relationships that we have with the Trinity under extreme circumstances – what an awakening that was.  Then I had a visited with my 2am guy – we started talking about the Forgiveness that this book gets into.  As I had stated – I had convinced myself that my un-forgiveness was warranted because of what had happened.  My Friend’s response was WWJD (what would Jesus do) – these are times when 2am guys can be a pain.   He was right – so I started praying that this individual could have the same relationship that I had with Christ and could be saved…. WOW.  But as in the Book – I had to do this daily for a very long time….. But it worked – the junk that had separated me from having a great relationship with Christ was going away and I started hearing his directions more clearly.
**My point to this story is that when we have those difficult things that keep us from having a great relationship with Christ – we must deal with them DAILY.   I learned to put something in my pocket to remind me of this on a daily basis – it is a Bell at the present time.
“Focusing on our response to Christ and our Relationship with him is a Heart thing…”   and we must have a clean one to be able to hear his prompting for what he would have us do.  When I finally cleared out the blockage – I would actually have to look around to see if someone was talking to me – but it was the clear voice of the Spirit within me that I could now hear more clearly.
I would encourage everyone to think about what it is that keeps them from expanding their relationship with Christ to the next level and pray about it – DAILY for the next few days…   This is just a start on how to clean the junk out of your life – there is allot more tools that you need to keep this going.
More to come………………….
bobbyg

I have been on the Road the last couple of days – and the Analogy of the Road Less Traveled has been my focus – with the snow today – that seemed to be the best road to take.  There was a letter in the News Paper on Sunday from a Pastor and he was commenting on another article from another Pastor.   What I really got from the letter was that we need to seek the truth from the one and only person that has it   “Jesus”.    Seeking the Truth from Jesus seems to be the road less traveled…   we seem to seek the truth from other sources – such as Grand Fathers, a really good friend, a counselor – but not the one source we should be going to.
As I was traveling today down the road less traveled – there seemed to be more sun light and it was a much easier way to go.  As with seeking the Truth from Jesus – He is the light and our Life will be filled with Love, Joy, Peace and all the other Gifts that he promises if we seek it.
 
This article also explained that the other Pastor was directed towards the truth that our culture was taking – and it was in Contradiction of Christ’s words.   As we seek the truth – we may not like what we hear – but it is the Truth and the only path that we should be taking.  As in my travels — the road will not always be great and I did run into a few storms along the way.  But as with the storms of life – if we focus on Jesus – he will take us through anything that comes our way.  As the article finished – it stated that “Jesus is the truth and his words to us are final, timeless and universal”.   AMEN
As we get closer to the upcoming GMM Conference – I am reminded about what it is that the Conference is about.   Vicki at the Civic Center wrote this description that is posted on the Cheyenne Civic Center Web Site:  “God’s Mighty Men Conference: Keynote Speaker Pastor Paul Ruzinsky. Your Relationship with Christ will be enhanced to a new spiritual level – Join this conference with God’s Mighty Men and experience this new relationship with Christ.”   This is a great way of explaining what we must stay focused on.
**So Please as you go forward in seeking the Truth – Look to the one and only person that has it   “Jesus Christ”.                                              “Activate Your Faith”
Bobbyg
 

I have this song stuck in my head at the present time from Matthew West and it has me getting ready for the upcoming GMM Conference in a very different way…
Please look at these words before I make a comment.

“Hello, My Name Is”

Hello, my name is regret
I’m pretty sure we have met
Every single day of your life
I’m the whisper inside
That won’t let you forget
Hello, my name is defeat
I know you recognize me
Just when you think you can win
I’ll drag you right back down again
‘Til you’ve lost all belief
These are the voices, these are the lies
And I have believed them, for the very last time
Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, and I have been set free
“Amazing Grace” is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I am no longer defined
By all the wreckage behind
The one who makes all things new
Has proven it’s true
Just take a look at my life
What love the Father has lavished upon us
That we should be called His children
I am a child of the one true King

I have highlighted a few words that stood out for me…   as I am preparing for this year’s GMM Conference  “Activate Your Faith”  —  I am always looking at what keeps us from doing this – and this song has identified a few of them –  Regret and Defeat –  How many times do we let stuff like this take control of what we do?    We must look at what Jesus has given us…  “Amazing Grace”   and this is a very powerful Act of Accepting – but when we do – the Healing that it will give us is indescribable.   Jesus is the one that will make all things new and as we go forward – the world will look allot different to us when we are called a child of the one true King.
I would encourage you to listen to this song and it will be stuck in your head as it is mine.
Bobbyg

I would like to challenge everyone that reads this blog to take up the 21 day prayer vigil to cover the GMM Conference with the Mighty Power of  Prayer – this is a must and it is what will win the Battle as we go forward.   If you read this after April 7^th – please start today.
Thanks                                            Bobbyg
GMM 21 Days of Prayer:    Starts April 7^th
Theme:   “Activate Your Faith”

1.  God’s protection over the conference –  WOW and GMM
2. The speakers.    Main Speakers and Pastor Blasts – check out the Conference Details on this WEB site – pray specifically for each one.
3. The GMM Team as we prepare.
4. WOW — they have two events coming up – April 13^th and 20^th – cover them with prayers in all areas of their events.
5. The Men that come to this – that they may leave with a greater relationship with Christ.
6. The Churches and their Men.
7. That they will see Jesus in us.
8. The details of the Event in all areas.
9. We have a tough topic on Pornography which will be directed towards Purity…  That this would be heard and healing will come to all.

Guys the list could go on – but I would really like each of you to focus on specific areas of what is coming and that Jesus would be the focus of why we do what we do….  It is all about him…
 
 

I have been doing a Bible study for Men called Quiet Strength from the book that Tony Dungy wrote…  This week we discussed What is Strength… and The Big Question again:  “Can Real Strength be found in the man who is courageous enough to weather the storms of life and humble enough to look for support?     It seems that men see weakness when we cannot take care of our problems on our own and so we do not seek the Guidance of God and a couple of 2am guys.   It is really a lonely place when the troubles of life over power you and in the midst of it all – you fail to seek help.  I have learned that when life gets really bad – I will send a Text to several of my 2am guys and ask them to pray and then I start praying fervently…  “I had to do that this weekend” – it was a life saver.  If I do this instead of being reactive – then GOD’s wisdom will take control and give me guidance.   I just finished reading Nehemiah in my studies and he was a great example of praying and then listening to what God had to say.
One of the other sayings from the book this week was – “Regardless of how we are wired, strength is found in having the faith to look to God to change us and to obey Him in what He has called of us to do.”      Faith and Obedience – have you seen how these seem to go together as we go forward in life – and this takes real strength to follow this path.   We have to give up our Power and turn it over to God and then we need to be Obedient to what he calls us to do.   Have you ever had one of those experiences where God has called you to do something that you know that you do not have the strength to follow through with it?    I encountered one of those a couple of years ago – and it was through prayer that I was able to accomplish what he had asked.   I had been asked to have one of those tough talks with someone (A Coke as Bob Norris would call it) and there was no way that I wanted to even attempt that type of talk – I was not qualified.  Then God and I came to an understanding – I would do it – but I needed to be given assurance that I was supposed to do it.  I had asked for a sign of affirmation and when I got there – the sign was much greater than I anticipated – one of those WOW things.  It was the right thing to do and with God’s strength it turned out great.
Try it – doing something that is greater then you and ask God to take you through it………
The last bit of wisdom that came from the study was “Strength is made evident when you hear God calling you out of the old way and into the new—and you follow that call. Real Strength is found in reaching up to God in the middle of uncertainty and fear while standing in faith on the promises He has given.”     This is life changing when we go forward with this type of outlook…   So as you go forward into the next couple of weeks – look for what God is asking you to Change….   And put your Faith and Obedience into Action…  Our theme this year for the GMM Conference is “Activate Your Faith”  –  this looks different for everyone – but when you do =  Real Strength Comes.
So Make those Changes as they are revealed and see How Powerful Life Becomes.
Bobbyg

Where is your house built?  On a Rock or on Sand?
 
Matthew 7:24-27:  ²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
 
            Shaun preached on this today and when I read my commentary at the bottom of my Bible – it raised some thoughts.  “Vs 24 – Practicing obedience becomes the Solid Foundation to weather the storms of life”.    As Shaun stated – this scripture is not about where you build your home – but where do you put your belief.   As verse 24 states – who hears these words of mine and puts them to practice is like a wise man.  
            I have been reading Nehemiah in my quiet time and it just so happens in my Men’s Bible study it has also addressed Nehemiah (Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy).   Nehemiah has put his Obedience in God and is asking to rebuild the Walls of Jerusalem.  He has to put allot of prayer into what he is going to do and then listen to God’s directions.  This requires allot of Obedience on his part in what God has directed him to do.   So Obedience is a major part of going forward in what we have read and been told to do. 
            So once again – Where is your faith built upon – Is it in total Surrender to Jesus Christ with all that we have – or are you depending on your own wisdom.  When you go down the path of Obedience in Jesus Christ – there will be challenges such as Nehemiah’s that are going to be bigger than anything we can accomplish on our own. 
            I have been reminded of this several times in the past few years about this time of year…  The GMM team is an Awesome group of men that God has put together to do some great works.  I seem to have several Panic attaches about this time of year as we prepare for the event and several of the GMM team reminds me of where my focus needs to be.   It must be focused on Jesus and he is the rock that I must go forward on.   You know what – all things turn out well… and when we go forward in Obedience and Prayer – great things happen. 
            So once again – where is your house built – rock or sand? 
Bobbyg

Brother in times like these God continues to show HIS Face, He Is The Great I
Am! I am encouraged by The Holy Spirit and how He is moving in our hearts. As we
focus on Jesus commandments to love our God first and foremost above everything
else and love our brothers as Christ loves us, we have the victory over self ,
pride and whatever tries to hinder our walk in Christ.I pray we be obedient to
God and His way. The love of God starts at home and grows from there. Its about
Him not us, and no matter what His will be done.
 
Blessings Lester

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