As we start fresh this year, I am starting with a fresh focus on Men. You men are invaluable to our church. You have the potential to shape our church and our families in ways no one or no other thing can. I see that in each one of you. I hope that we can start fresh together by the Holy Spirit and help each other reach our great potential.
As men, we need God, we need each other, and together we can make a huge difference. As we start fresh this new year, one of the ways I want to focus on you is in prayer. I commit to praying for every man in our church each week. If there is something specific I can pray for, let me know. Another way is through this blog. These won’t be the only ways, but it’s where I will start.
I’ve been thinking about 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, verses which have encouraged and challenged my heart as a man. These verses will be my blog focus for the next five weeks. You may be able to guess the break down as you read the passage.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Let all that you do be done in love.”
BE WATCHFUL
The phrase “be watchful” encourages us to be attentive, pay attention to what’s going on around us, and be aware. Yet, it is more than that. It does little good to be watchful in a battle if you’re staring in the wrong direction. “Being watchful” implies that we are attentive to the right things. Here’s my question.
What has your focus right now?
I know how easy it is to get caught up in the various activities and demands of my life. Yet, I want us all to realize and enjoy the benefits of God’s presence, by the Holy Spirit, for His glory. Easier said than done! To that end, scripture encourages us to keep our eyes on Jesus. So, where’s your focus?
Here’s a challenge that may help you answer the question. I dare you to sit down for 20 minutes with a piece of paper (or maybe a couple). Pray and ask God to help you honestly evaluate your focus. Draw a line down the middle of the page and set a timer for 10 minutes (really, set a timer). On the left side of the page, take 10 minutes and write out all the things you’re focused on right now. Things like projects at work, finances, concerns for your wife and kids, house repairs, the news headlines, your hobbies, your friends, and whatever else comes to mind. Then, set the timer again for ten minutes. In those ten minutes, on the right side of the page, write out how you see Jesus entering into or influencing each item on the right side.
Is Jesus in your sights?
To what degree does your view of Jesus affect the things in your life? To what degree does your view of Jesus impact your view of yourself. When we are watchful for who Jesus is and what He is doing in our lives AND in and through all the demands of our lives, we run the race of life so much better.
Men of Meadows, let’s BE WATCHFULl and encourage each other to focus on Jesus.
Men, Let's Start Fresh!
Meadows Men,
As we start fresh this year, I am starting with a fresh focus on Men. You men are invaluable to our church. You have the potential to shape our church and our families in ways no one or no other thing can. I see that in each one of you. I hope that we can start fresh together by the Holy Spirit and help each other reach our great potential.
As men, we need God, we need each other, and together we can make a huge difference. As we start fresh this new year, one of the ways I want to focus on you is in prayer. I commit to praying for every man in our church each week. If there is something specific I can pray for, let me know. Another way is through this blog. These won’t be the only ways, but it’s where I will start.
I’ve been thinking about 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, verses which have encouraged and challenged my heart as a man. These verses will be my blog focus for the next five weeks. You may be able to guess the break down as you read the passage.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Let all that you do be done in love.”
BE WATCHFUL
The phrase “be watchful” encourages us to be attentive, pay attention to what’s going on around us, and be aware. Yet, it is more than that. It does little good to be watchful in a battle if you’re staring in the wrong direction. “Being watchful” implies that we are attentive to the right things. Here’s my question.
What has your focus right now?
I know how easy it is to get caught up in the various activities and demands of my life. Yet, I want us all to realize and enjoy the benefits of God’s presence, by the Holy Spirit, for His glory. Easier said than done! To that end, scripture encourages us to keep our eyes on Jesus. So, where’s your focus?
Here’s a challenge that may help you answer the question. I dare you to sit down for 20 minutes with a piece of paper (or maybe a couple). Pray and ask God to help you honestly evaluate your focus. Draw a line down the middle of the page and set a timer for 10 minutes (really, set a timer). On the left side of the page, take 10 minutes and write out all the things you’re focused on right now. Things like projects at work, finances, concerns for your wife and kids, house repairs, the news headlines, your hobbies, your friends, and whatever else comes to mind. Then, set the timer again for ten minutes. In those ten minutes, on the right side of the page, write out how you see Jesus entering into or influencing each item on the right side.
Is Jesus in your sights?
To what degree does your view of Jesus affect the things in your life? To what degree does your view of Jesus impact your view of yourself. When we are watchful for who Jesus is and what He is doing in our lives AND in and through all the demands of our lives, we run the race of life so much better.
Men of Meadows, let’s BE WATCHFULl and encourage each other to focus on Jesus.
I love you, men!
-- Pastor Andrew