October 2011 Men's Ministry Devotional

“He is able to help those who are being tempted.”Hebrews 2:18

An estimated 40 million Americans view Internet pornography on a regular basis. The average age of exposure is 11. What’s worse yet is that 47 percent of Christians polled said that pornography on the Web was a major problem in their home.
In light of these alarming statistics, I wasn’t really surprised when I received a letter from a man who had given in to the lure of Internet porn. Broken and ashamed, he was desperate to climb out of the shame and sludge that Satan had lured him into. He told me that he finally decided to tape a picture of Jesus in the corner of his computer screen. With a sense of relief, he told me that seeing Jesus made his choices clear, and that he couldn’t go where he had gone before as long as Jesus was in clear view in the corner of the screen.
Pornography may not be your problem. But there isn’t one of us who doesn’t struggle with Satan’s pull on our desires. We all know how good it feels to gossip now and then. Taking out revenge on our enemies can seem very satisfying. And cheating on our boss or on our wife is an option that may at times be very alluring. I’m sure you could add a few of your own temptations to the list.
In the midst of it all, we need to remember that every temptation brings us to a critical crossroad. One sign points to momentary thrills that are like jumping out of a plane. Soaring through the air with no restraint can be a thrilling thing, but inevitably the impact of hitting the ground is devastating. Or, we can choose the Jesus road. It’s not always easy at first, but the rewards are out of this world! And perhaps the most important thing we need to know is that at the crossroad, the choice is not just between good and bad—because sometimes you’ll want to be bad. Nor is it just about not wanting to get caught. Satan will tell you that you are clever enough not to get caught. Or, worse yet, he’ll whisper in your heart, “Who cares if you get caught!”
Here’s the real deal: Choosing to sin is choosing to flaunt your desires in the face of Jesus. It’s like telling Him, “I’d rather do this than stay tight with You. I love my sin more than I love You!” It’s a personal thing, and He takes it that way.
At the intersection of temptation, choose Jesus! That person who offended you may not deserve your forgiveness; but Jesus deserves our loyal love, so we forgive for His sake. An affair, a small compromise here or there, overcharging to satisfy a fleeting need, lying to get out of trouble—all may seem very convenient, but all of them are a direct hit on Jesus.



So just say no to sin to show that you love Him more than whatever is luring you away from Him. In fact, you should want to be tempted once in a while just to let
Jesus know in real-life terms how much He means to you!
Jesus is always standing there at the crossroad of temptation. And, as Hebrews says, He is able to help you when temptation comes (Hebrews 2:18). In fact, He has been tested in every way—just like you—and will give you grace and mercy to
help you in your time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16)!
Look for Him. He’s in the corner of your screen of life, welcoming you to the pure joy of going His way with Him!


YOUR JOURNEY…

• Where do you need to place a picture of Jesus or a verse of Scripture to help you avoid temptation? On the refrigerator door, the dashboard of your car, inside your wallet, or somewhere else?
• Pray and ask Jesus to help you resist temptation in the very moment when you are tempted. Ask Him to help you live for what is right, instead of what feels good at the time.
• Read Luke 4:1-13. Make a list of observations about the temptation of Christ. Think of the area where you most struggle with temptation in your own life and compare the two situations. What can you learn from the way Jesus handled temptation?
  
  
  
  
  This Devotional really spoke to my heart and thats why I chose to share it witht the men of C4 this month.
  
  
  As always, We ate, we had fellowship, we prayed, we talked about this devotional, and then we ate again.
  
  
  Thanks to all the men who participated this month. Hope to see you all again next month! Remember, the second Saturday of each month at 8am at Camden Crossroads Community Church!
  
  
  **** AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST. A BIG SHOUT OUT TO ONE OF OUR YOUTHS, GARY, WHO LAST NIGHT DURING A YOUTH FUNCTION, DECIDED TO GIVE HIS HEART OVER TO JESUS CHRIST!!! PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO WELCOME GARY TO THE FAMILY IF YOU SEE HIM ON SUNDAY ****

Devotional Message for September 2011 C4's Men's Ministry Breakfast

There was a major fire that had broken out in the tire factory. People were frantically running out the doors fleeing the danger. One man, though, came running out the door and turned to run along the building. He ran to a valve on a huge pipe line that went into the factory. After turning the valve off, he briskly walked to a safe distance from the building. When ask why he took the risk to turn off this valve he told the interviewer that if he hadn't done so, no one would have been able to run fast enough or far enough to escape the explosion. The pipe line fed a gaseous chemical into the plant and had it not been turned off the fire would have caused this chemical to explode with such force that it could have taken out an entire city block. The man did not simply flee the danger, he ran with direction and purpose to save himself and others from it.

Many people try to handle the evil of the world like the people running from the fire. They attempt to outrun it. They know they should flee, but it is a frantic aimless run that ends up being futile. Telling children to "just say no" does not go far enough. It gives them no direction. Instructing people to "be responsible" in their behavior without defining what "responsible" is accomplishes nothing. The power of evil is too great and its ways too pervasive for us to outrun or handle responsibly. If history has taught us anything it has taught us that we are powerless to overcome evil by our own resources.

Paul instructed young Timothy to "flee the evil desires of youth." But it is important to note that Paul did not stop at this point. He went on to say, "and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with those who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22) This Scriptural mandate is for us as well as Timothy. Fleeing evil alone does not help. We must flee with direction and purpose. Like the man fleeing from the fire, we do not simply run from evil, we run from evil by pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Apart from the Holy Spirit's empowerment, this would be impossible. He instills the hunger and thirsting for the things of God, as well as the power to resist evil and pursue righteousness. Yet, must draw upon what He gives in order do the fleeing and pursuing.

This pursuing of righteousness is not to be done alone. The verse tells us to do so "along with those who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart." Scripture knows nothing of the privatized, isolated Christian living that is so prevalent today. The pursuit of righteousness is a corporate affair. To attempt to live isolated from the body of Christ is spiritually suicidal. There is strength, wisdom, and direction given through the body that is found no where else. Jesus designed His church this way. Alone I am vulnerable and susceptible to the attacks of Satan in a way that I am not when I am actively participating in the body of Christ. This verse, as well as many others in Scripture, makes it clear that active participation in the body is not an option for the Christian.
Beloved, do not see how close you can get to sin without sinning. Rather, flee evil by pursuing "righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with those who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart" and see how close to can get to God.

We also talked about our responsibilities as men in our homes, especially to our wives. We shared tips and pointers that has helped to strengthen relationships with our wives.

We shared little know facts about ourselves to one another and of course, as always, we had some morning chow....

I appreciate all who came to participate this month. If you couldn't make it this month, hopefully we'll see you next month as we continue our work connecting people to God, Each other, and The World.

- Ken

Almost an end to another month....

God does provide for us whether we see it or not. Simply waking up this morning was his divine provision. I haven't had alot of time as of late to write. However, I am excited because.... the more time that passes, the more I build up inside. I love you all and will get back to you soon. To my family at Camden Crossroads, see you tomorrow.