tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.comments2012-02-01T14:53:46.552-05:00RPC Blog Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16289757262022834877noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-37099255067909266492010-11-26T12:09:38.382-05:002010-11-26T12:09:38.382-05:00This is excellent. The questions you pose are the ones that we must ask ourselves. The well-water plain beckoned to Lot as the material wonders of our day beckon to us. Like Abraham we must be attracted to the City of God instead of the beauty of something appearing to be the Garden of God. Thanks again!Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-17789076764079006432010-11-01T20:42:32.370-04:002010-11-01T20:42:32.370-04:00Thanks! Well done!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-67412953447359279832010-10-09T16:00:20.757-04:002010-10-09T16:00:20.757-04:00Thanks. Very helpfulBillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-10578936236026754922010-09-11T23:04:12.127-04:002010-09-11T23:04:12.127-04:00Solid insight! Abram was a great example of living by faith rather than by sight.Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-68805758705238674142009-10-14T15:15:34.505-04:002009-10-14T15:15:34.505-04:00&quot;How does this realization make you feel toward him?&quot; PRAISE GOD! Surely will not fully understand such a rightousness until we come into His presence. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-14107808821652402552009-02-11T17:32:00.000-05:002009-02-11T17:32:00.000-05:00There were some good discussions on the words tempt, test and trial in the groups I attended. I also stumbled upon a book by Jay Adams in the bookstore titled “A Thirst for Wholeness, How to gain wisdom from the Book of James.” Even after just reading the first three chapters in this book, I found Dr. Adam's explanation of testing, trials and temptation a real blessing to me. This book starts out giving a clear and easy understanding of this subject.Jamin Jimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-7200961574147484872008-11-11T01:59:00.000-05:002008-11-11T01:59:00.000-05:00Thanks for writing this.Blendahttp://honoriainsurance.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-6989960206212727802008-09-24T23:00:00.000-04:002008-09-24T23:00:00.000-04:00Getting to know the person, when evangelizing with a sincere attitude and a compassionate manner as Christ did, is more effective. This approach has helped me in being more comfortable in presenting the gospel and the one being evangelized more receptive. <BR/><BR/>In addition to getting more familiar with others, one can find out if they are "true" Christians. Some people have labeled themselves as a Christians who are really not at all.<BR/><BR/>There are people who attend church regularly and some who rarely, if at all, attend a church who call themselves Christians and do not know they are lost. <BR/><BR/>There is a possibility that those we approach may be saved, but are not growing spiritually as they should. This too is an opportunity to provide encouragement for Christian growth.<BR/><BR/>Evangelism may lead to discovering of a need for further counseling. We need to prepare ourselves for this as well. It can be formal or informal counseling.Jamin Jimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-22119371449196412202008-09-24T21:35:00.000-04:002008-09-24T21:35:00.000-04:00We are not alone when evangelizing. The Holy Spirit is with us. He will give us courage. As we study God's word and pray, we are also better equipped to Evangelize. Among the causes of Evangephobia was offending people or fear of rejection. <BR/><BR/>When one evangelizes, we may offend people, but we are glorifying and pleasing God.<BR/><BR/>When people reject our efforts, it does not mean we have failed. We have failed if we think we alone are the ones being rejected and it is our individual efforts in presenting the Gospel. We never fail if we are presenting the Gospel according to God's word and through the Holy Spirit. Remember when we represent Christ, people who reject our evangelism are rejecting Christ!Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12174320367117720332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-60055860163099025622008-09-15T09:25:00.000-04:002008-09-15T09:25:00.000-04:00Learning God's word through the scriptures, appropriate teachings, and resources at Redeemer has helped me grow and equip me. Being an effective witness is an on going growth process, just as any other aspect of being a Christian. Prayer, Bible study groups and the abundance of opportunities through our Church body has help my spiritual growth immensely. God has also use the encouragement of my Christian brothers to keep me motivated. <BR/><BR/>Evangelism in my life is not what it could be and God has blessed me with others to call on for advise and suggestions on how to witness to others. For I found there is not one way to evangelize to all. Positive results are not always seen by me except my growth. I can get frustrated when it looks as if I failed, but I remember God is control. If and when someone has a change of heart, I can't do it, God does.Jamin Jimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-21803811440663766912008-05-15T05:12:00.000-04:002008-05-15T05:12:00.000-04:00It's nice to know that we don't have to check God's "sign" everyday to see how much he changed from the previous day. Unlike the signs posting gas prices, God is sovereign and consistent. He doesn't change. We can bank on that!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-87978933150767995172008-04-28T08:17:00.000-04:002008-04-28T08:17:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.RPC Blog Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16289757262022834877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-8724232707222213392008-03-27T22:53:00.000-04:002008-03-27T22:53:00.000-04:001. The fear of the LORD is a profound love and deep respect for God.<BR/>2. The fear of the LORD is simply taking God seriously – He keeps his promises and expects us to obey his commands.<BR/>3. The fear of the LORD is the attitude that results from knowing that God is watching my every action, weighing my every motive, and aware of my every thought.<BR/>4. The fear of the LORD means to love what God loves, and hate what he hates.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-41348610113625914592008-03-19T09:13:00.000-04:002008-03-19T09:13:00.000-04:00Criticism may be classified in four categories: (1) positive criticism with a positive response, (2) positive criticism with a negative response, (3) negative criticism with a negative response and (4) negative criticism with a negative response. The Bible has illustrations that have come to my mind and one of the first was God’s criticism of Cain’s offering (Gen 4). In contrast we can see how David responded to Nathan (2 Sam 12) about his sin. Jesus was constantly criticized by the Pharisees in a negative way, yet Jesus always responded in a positive manner. <BR/><BR/>Can you think of any more illustrations either in the Bible or from personal experiences? This discussion has made me more aware of how I respond to criticism and criticize. I also reflected on Matt 7:5, “… Let me take the speck out of your eye, and behold, the log is in your own eye…”<BR/><BR/>As usual, our studies have had me thinking week long on what has been discussed. It has also enabled me to develop a closer relationship with Christ as well as others in the study group.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-21100217538001984082008-03-12T21:33:00.000-04:002008-03-12T21:33:00.000-04:00Based on this last Proverb I'm probably not as good of a friend as I like to think I am! It's kind of a quality control check for friendship!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-8822127288726395662008-03-11T18:16:00.000-04:002008-03-11T18:16:00.000-04:00Good blog. Our right standing with God through Christ and the eternal acceptance that is ours as a result should help us receive criticism and grow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-82400024850309116892008-03-10T13:33:00.000-04:002008-03-10T13:33:00.000-04:00I like reading the blog from week to week. And this week's was no exception. I wish I could find something to disagree or take issue with, but I can't. I do like however, the questions at the end of the piece and I'm going to have to digest and reflect on them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-6925175828460197132008-03-03T20:05:00.000-05:002008-03-03T20:05:00.000-05:00Great comment. Let's hear from more of you.RPC Blog Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16289757262022834877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-72431195675108211792008-03-03T20:04:00.000-05:002008-03-03T20:04:00.000-05:00I think the mens ministry is a phenomonal forum to build relationships. Pursuing those relationships and seeking counsel from these men can be valuable. We have a diversity of knowledge and experience that God has give us to gleen from. I can testify that this ministry has made a difference in my life and Christian walk.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-27982555787094744542008-01-21T19:24:00.000-05:002008-01-21T19:24:00.000-05:00I must admit that the thought of studying Commentaries, and Systematic Theologies, and memorizing Bible Dictionaries (Ok, I added the memorizing part!), all seem to overwhelm me. I am not arguing their value, just simply giving my layman opinion of them. What is a constant comfort though, is that Proverbs tells me that I must "look for it" and "search for it". If I do so, the Lord will give me wisdom! I don't intend to trivialize my responsibility (look as for silver, search as for hidden treasure) as the passage implies that we do so with a seriousness and tenacity. The comfort to me though, is that the pressure is off! I don't have to have a theology degree to have wisdom! The formula is given to me in Proverbs 2. I pray that we as Redeemer men will do just what Proverbs says and "go get our wisdom!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-30263888529044099552007-11-28T00:51:00.000-05:002007-11-28T00:51:00.000-05:00This is a challenge. I think of leadership here more as using my authority to stop conflicts by giving directions. That isn't usually very peaceful. This will be good to talk about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-85701923009168743372007-11-26T16:31:00.000-05:002007-11-26T16:31:00.000-05:00The Thursday Evening group had a thoughtful discussion about this beatitude. Purity in heart is usually not on the list of manly qualities. Yet, it is what God wants from us. We can agree with the cry of David to create a clean heart within us!RPC Blog Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16289757262022834877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-21720755867202978772007-11-01T22:20:00.000-04:002007-11-01T22:20:00.000-04:00I hope and pray every man involved in Mens Ministry is reaping spiritual encouragement from the Scripture we are studying and the fellowship. These past few weeks have been a challenge to me as God has shone a light into my heart and revealed shortcomings in my life. Fortunately He also has shown me hope and encouragement through His Word and my brothers in Christ. May God richly invest you as you grow together.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-41330316219941469642007-10-26T19:22:00.000-04:002007-10-26T19:22:00.000-04:00From the Spartanburg Evening Group<BR/><BR/>Thoughts on Meekness<BR/><BR/>The mountain men returned safely from their respective journeys. We were thankful to have the opportunity to bear with one another again in love and fellowship. We discussed the surprising aspect of the outward character of meekness. It is an internal quality of the heart the shows itself outwardly in humility and concern for others. This quality of meekness really does encourage others to approach us with concerns. Thinking about the distinctive quality of the beatitudes, the astute observation was made that being laid-back is not the same thing as being meek. Once again we were struck by the profound challenges that these beatitudes present for us as leaders. These responses are far from our natural inclinations. May God help us to be unnatural in ways that please him. Next week we are looking forward to seeing if more missing goldfish have appeared. (I know, you had to be there, but isn’t that the point?)RPC Blog Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16289757262022834877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7234534803024946465.post-39758972985977741742007-10-19T21:48:00.000-04:002007-10-19T21:48:00.000-04:00The Spartanburg Evening group had a thought provoking discussion on mourning. The idea of mourning and leadership are not often thought of in the same breath. Yet as we discussed this new concept it began to take hold. Raymond made an insightful connection by connecting biblical mourning with the ability to take the log out of your own eye before you can see clearly to take the speck out of your brother. This has great implications for leadership. We are looking forward to next week and the return of some mountain travelers.RPC Blog Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16289757262022834877noreply@blogger.com