Man Two Man

12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Thought of the day….

Most of us a not as young as we used to be but just as Paul instructs young Timothy we should be the example to all around us. Each day we as professing Christians are surrounded by non-believers and they can see if we are real or just a lot of talk and no action. Daily we should be the pages of the bible in word and in deed to all that are around us, young or old and.

Today I ask, are you setting the example of Christ?

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 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; 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.

Thought of the day….

Last night I pick up a book off the bookshelf I have looked at in years. The book is titled The Doctor that Looked at Hands by Dr. John M. Ellis, and is primarily about vitamin B6 deficiency and its affect on the body. I’m sure you’re asking, why would you read that? Well, because even though the book is largely a medical book, Dr. John also describes his life, friends and family. Throughout the book Dr. John mentions his ranch foreman Dick Griffin, and he paints a larger than life picture of this real, Man’s man. He paints a picture of a Cowboy herding cattle, pinning livestock, and superb horsemanship. So why would he even mention this man? I think it was because he had moral values and strong character and integrity. Just like today’s scripture Joshua was man of integrity and strong moral character. God call us to be strong and courageous, and not veer to the right or the left and stay in His word so we will be successful for Him.

Today I ask, are you a person of integrity?

Oh, and by the way, the cowboy in the book was my Grandfather.

6. Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Thought of the day….

Yesterday I began a bible study of the movie Courageous, in the first lesson it looks at Joshua and how Moses turned over the task of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.  The Israelites followed Joshua because they saw in him the true actions of a Man of God.  We teach our children with words and actions but the problem comes when those two don’t match.

Some time ago on my commute I saw a baby calf with its mom and the calf was jumping and playing trying to get it mom’s attention. This scene makes me think of how the cows without words must teach her calf all it needs to know to survive. This caused me to think about, how, us as God’s people should be doing the same thing. The problem is that, in some cases, we try to teach our children with words and not our actions.  Sure we need to give clear instruction with our words but do our words and our actions match? We can say to our children “this is the way you should live” but if we then don’t live that instruction we paint a confusing picture. Our children learn more from our actions than our words. The Israelite people followed Joshua because he was the real deal, he lead with words and actions.   

Today I ask, do our words and my actions match?

He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

Thought of the day….

Where do you stand? On the right, on the left or in the middle?  Today’s scripture is one where Peter is denying Christ.  We as Christians do the same thing, we deny Him by our words and actions. I’m on the right (I’m a Christian) I’m on the left ( I not acting or portraying a Christian) I’m in the middle (I’m riding the fence and won’t commit). God’s word says we all sin, but when we blatantly choose to do it we paint a confusing picture to others around us. We are supposed to represent Christ well as we are made in His image and that is the image He wants everyone to see.

Today I ask, are you denying Christ and misrepresenting Him?

17. “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel.”

Thought of the day….

Paul was probably the greatest preacher of all time. God’s word calls us to “preach the gospel”.  No we are not all called to be the preacher or pastor of a church but when we accept Christ as our savior we at that moment sign on to “preach the gospel”. Saint Francis of Assisi coined the phrase “Wherever you go, Preach, and if necessary use words”. We live a message every day, some messages are good and others are not so good but still a message. It’s our calling to make disciples for Christ, and to preach the gospel in word and in deed.

Today I ask, are you preaching the gospel?

Fathers, don’t make your children angry. Instead, train them and teach them the ways of the Lord as you raise them.

Thought of the day….

Last night at Man Church, we watched the movie “Courageous”. It was the second time I have seen it and if you haven’t, I would recommend it. The movie is about being a father to our children and that we should spend time with them and love and teach them in the ways of the Lord, in the short time we have them. So this morning, I want to encourage you fathers, to look at the father you have been and through God’s grace see the Father you can be and be it.

Today I ask, are you being the father that God has called you to be.