10th Anniversary TeenPact Challenge Camp out
Who: All students and dads of past, present, and future Challenge program.
What: A weekend of fun and fellowship
When: 0800 Friday 25 March through 1200 Sunday 27 March
Where: 500-acre farm located at 1871 Old Cusseta Highway, Juniper, GA 31801.
*Directions are available on the website at www.timothygroup.org
Why: To share memories, passions, stories, and visions of past and future Challenge events.
*Fishing, Rappelling, Obstacle Course, Ultimate Frisbee, Hiking, Canoeing, and Naps will be available for those interested in participating
Come one come all. Walk-up, drive-in, or fly-by the area. Bring your memories, your visions for future events and your own vittles. Bring all the gear you want to camp among the stars, bond fires nightly.
The Super Wal-Mart is a 20 minute drive for any extra items needed.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Prayer.....
Hey Yall,
Zach Phillips here. My dear friends Daniel and Jessica Riley lost their grandfather last night. To my knowledge he was not a follower of Christ. Please pray for the entire family, Comfort, Peace and Strength. Thank you so much.
Officer Phillips
Zach Phillips here. My dear friends Daniel and Jessica Riley lost their grandfather last night. To my knowledge he was not a follower of Christ. Please pray for the entire family, Comfort, Peace and Strength. Thank you so much.
Officer Phillips
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Positive Mental Attitude: A Leadership Force Multiplier
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. –- Romans 12:11-12
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.
-- 1 Timothy 4:12
Sometimes, the hardship or frustrations of life cause us to forget important lessons that God teaches us. This happened to me recently. My job has been very difficult for several months. It has required much more effort than usual with much fewer results. Add to that other stresses of life and, without realizing it, my attitude had changed. This change was brought to my attention by the CEO of the company I work for when he approached me one day.
“Mike, you’ve been having a tough time lately haven’t you?”
“I have,” I answered. “How did you know?”
“Your attitude changed,” he said. “You’ve been noticeably frustrated lately. I understand why, but the problem is that your attitude is also having a negative effect on several of your counterparts. They watch you, you know. They follow your lead. It is having a marked affect on the company.”
I was shocked. I had no idea this was the case. I did not realize my attitude changed but, apparently, others around me did. Others who I didn’t even know were watching. Others I didn’t even know paid any attention to me. I had forgotten a basic rule: Leadership by example includes consistently maintaining a positive mental attitude. In the military, this type of thing is referred to as a “force multiplier” -- a capability that, when added to and employed by a combat force, significantly increases the combat potential of that force and thus enhances the probablity of successful mission accomplishment. In fact, a positive mental attitude is so important that the United States Air Force puts it atop the list of “The Seven Priorities of Survival” they teach at SERE (Survive, Escape, Resist and Evade) school. It is above everything else, including fire, shelter, water and food.
Young men, the point is that Christ-centered leadership is never about you. It is always about those around you. It is not about how much you can take, but rather about how much you can give. The Apostle Paul understood this well. Read Philippians 1:1 – 2:18. He is writing this letter to the believers in Philippi … from prison. If anybody had a reason to be frustrated and discouraged, it was Paul. But he wasn’t. He rejoiced (1:18). Why? Because he understood that God was using his chains to advance the gospel (1:12) and cause Christ to be preached (1:18). Not only did he lead by example, but he also encouraged others to as well (2:1-4), reminded them of why they should do it (2:5-11) and urged them to share in his gladness and rejoicing (2:12-18). If you ask me, Paul was the ultimate encourager and a master of positive mental attitude.
I was thankful for the gentle, but candid reproach of my boss that day. He was right and it snapped me out of it. It also reminded me that Christ uses men who are wholly committed to Him to lead the way, that people are following that lead even when we don’t realize they are doing so and that a positive mental attitude is a core part of leadership.
I pray that I will not forget that lesson. I also pray that neither will you.
Mike McFarland
2010 Challenge Guest Director
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.
-- 1 Timothy 4:12
Sometimes, the hardship or frustrations of life cause us to forget important lessons that God teaches us. This happened to me recently. My job has been very difficult for several months. It has required much more effort than usual with much fewer results. Add to that other stresses of life and, without realizing it, my attitude had changed. This change was brought to my attention by the CEO of the company I work for when he approached me one day.
“Mike, you’ve been having a tough time lately haven’t you?”
“I have,” I answered. “How did you know?”
“Your attitude changed,” he said. “You’ve been noticeably frustrated lately. I understand why, but the problem is that your attitude is also having a negative effect on several of your counterparts. They watch you, you know. They follow your lead. It is having a marked affect on the company.”
I was shocked. I had no idea this was the case. I did not realize my attitude changed but, apparently, others around me did. Others who I didn’t even know were watching. Others I didn’t even know paid any attention to me. I had forgotten a basic rule: Leadership by example includes consistently maintaining a positive mental attitude. In the military, this type of thing is referred to as a “force multiplier” -- a capability that, when added to and employed by a combat force, significantly increases the combat potential of that force and thus enhances the probablity of successful mission accomplishment. In fact, a positive mental attitude is so important that the United States Air Force puts it atop the list of “The Seven Priorities of Survival” they teach at SERE (Survive, Escape, Resist and Evade) school. It is above everything else, including fire, shelter, water and food.
Young men, the point is that Christ-centered leadership is never about you. It is always about those around you. It is not about how much you can take, but rather about how much you can give. The Apostle Paul understood this well. Read Philippians 1:1 – 2:18. He is writing this letter to the believers in Philippi … from prison. If anybody had a reason to be frustrated and discouraged, it was Paul. But he wasn’t. He rejoiced (1:18). Why? Because he understood that God was using his chains to advance the gospel (1:12) and cause Christ to be preached (1:18). Not only did he lead by example, but he also encouraged others to as well (2:1-4), reminded them of why they should do it (2:5-11) and urged them to share in his gladness and rejoicing (2:12-18). If you ask me, Paul was the ultimate encourager and a master of positive mental attitude.
I was thankful for the gentle, but candid reproach of my boss that day. He was right and it snapped me out of it. It also reminded me that Christ uses men who are wholly committed to Him to lead the way, that people are following that lead even when we don’t realize they are doing so and that a positive mental attitude is a core part of leadership.
I pray that I will not forget that lesson. I also pray that neither will you.
Mike McFarland
2010 Challenge Guest Director
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
And God Will Make You Fit
"I am crucified with Christ." Galatians 2:20
You’ve heard me describe the meaning of the verse about, “No greater love has any man than he lay done his life for another”. Most of us associate the action of “laying down” with being willing to die. You’ve heard me say that this means not only being willing to lay down your physical life but also and more importantly laying down your desires, your plans, your thoughts, and your attitudes. No one is ever united with Jesus Christ until he is willing to relinquish not only sin, but his whole way of looking at things. Advancing from the theme of Challenge 2009, resolved, ransomed, we need to relinquish. To be born from above of the Spirit of God means that we must first let go before we can seize. The initial phase of this objective is letting go of all deception. What is it that you have that God wants? What is it that we can produce that he wants to take from us? What Our Lord wants us to present to Him is not goodness, nor honesty, nor endeavor, but real solid sin; that is all He can take from us. Remember the verse about God not being able to be in the presence of sin. What does God give in exchange for our sin? Real solid righteousness. Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. And why does he do this…for His Name’s sake. This transaction is that important. God wants glory. He will get glory. He wants the glory to come through you and me. We have an awesome opportunity to be made right. And God will make that possible for His Name’s sake. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Psalm 35:24
In the next phase, the Spirit of God will show us what further there is to relinquish. In the spirit of Challenge 2009 “Ransomed”, we have been bought with a price we cannot repay. The fact that we cannot afford to repay does not mean we should not try. We must give-up all fakeness of being any thing. We need to give-up all claims of being worthy of God's consideration. Here will have to be the relinquishing of any claim to the right to self. Am I willing to relinquish my hold on all I possess, my hold on my affections, my hold on my family, my holdon my career, and on everything, and to be identified with the death of Jesus Christ?
There is always a sharp painful dashing of hopes to go through before we do relinquish. What I mean is when a man really sees himself as the Lord sees him the awful nature of pride is appalling. We realize how our own heart is against Jesus Christ. When we see ourselves in the light of the Lord, the shame and the horror and the desperate conviction come home. We question how we got to this point and the answer is disappointing to say the least. Review the February blog entry “Where the rubber meets the Road” for a reminder about being against Jesus.
Challenge 2009 brought us to the realization that we are not our own. We must live for God. If you are up against the question of relinquishing, go through the crisis, relinquish all, and God will make you fit for all that He requires of you.
Challenge 2010 will introduce you to that requirement. This year’s theme is Righteous Revolution. At Challenge you will be equipped and trained to make a stand with Jesus to thwart the enemy. The victory begins with you. On the inside and comes out. It continues in your family then to your community then to your state, your region, and your nation. Join the Challenge staff and me as we prepare to impact our nation for Jesus Christ.
Challenge Program Director
Bruce Stansbury
You’ve heard me describe the meaning of the verse about, “No greater love has any man than he lay done his life for another”. Most of us associate the action of “laying down” with being willing to die. You’ve heard me say that this means not only being willing to lay down your physical life but also and more importantly laying down your desires, your plans, your thoughts, and your attitudes. No one is ever united with Jesus Christ until he is willing to relinquish not only sin, but his whole way of looking at things. Advancing from the theme of Challenge 2009, resolved, ransomed, we need to relinquish. To be born from above of the Spirit of God means that we must first let go before we can seize. The initial phase of this objective is letting go of all deception. What is it that you have that God wants? What is it that we can produce that he wants to take from us? What Our Lord wants us to present to Him is not goodness, nor honesty, nor endeavor, but real solid sin; that is all He can take from us. Remember the verse about God not being able to be in the presence of sin. What does God give in exchange for our sin? Real solid righteousness. Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. And why does he do this…for His Name’s sake. This transaction is that important. God wants glory. He will get glory. He wants the glory to come through you and me. We have an awesome opportunity to be made right. And God will make that possible for His Name’s sake. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Psalm 35:24
In the next phase, the Spirit of God will show us what further there is to relinquish. In the spirit of Challenge 2009 “Ransomed”, we have been bought with a price we cannot repay. The fact that we cannot afford to repay does not mean we should not try. We must give-up all fakeness of being any thing. We need to give-up all claims of being worthy of God's consideration. Here will have to be the relinquishing of any claim to the right to self. Am I willing to relinquish my hold on all I possess, my hold on my affections, my hold on my family, my holdon my career, and on everything, and to be identified with the death of Jesus Christ?
There is always a sharp painful dashing of hopes to go through before we do relinquish. What I mean is when a man really sees himself as the Lord sees him the awful nature of pride is appalling. We realize how our own heart is against Jesus Christ. When we see ourselves in the light of the Lord, the shame and the horror and the desperate conviction come home. We question how we got to this point and the answer is disappointing to say the least. Review the February blog entry “Where the rubber meets the Road” for a reminder about being against Jesus.
Challenge 2009 brought us to the realization that we are not our own. We must live for God. If you are up against the question of relinquishing, go through the crisis, relinquish all, and God will make you fit for all that He requires of you.
Challenge 2010 will introduce you to that requirement. This year’s theme is Righteous Revolution. At Challenge you will be equipped and trained to make a stand with Jesus to thwart the enemy. The victory begins with you. On the inside and comes out. It continues in your family then to your community then to your state, your region, and your nation. Join the Challenge staff and me as we prepare to impact our nation for Jesus Christ.
Challenge Program Director
Bruce Stansbury
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Godly Leadership: There's Gotta Be A Difference
There’s gotta be a difference.
It’s gotta be significant.
If you’re really inside changing my life
You would shine, You would be evident
if there’s a difference.
There’s a difference.
The Difference (lyrics excerpt)
Philmont
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
Joan of Ark was different. Very different. She was a peasant woman in a man’s world. Yet, God gave her a mission in life that most would think only the bravest of knights might have any hope of achieving. The place was France. The year was 1429. The situation was grave. The country was divided, without a king on the throne and in danger of being taken over by the English. Joan’s mission was to facilitate the restoration of her country’s independence by convincing the discouraged, displaced king to rally his loyal followers and lead them into battle in order to reclaim his rightful place on the throne. Completing this mission required her to journey alone through dangerous enemy territory, gain the audience of untouchable French nobles and lead soldiers into battle against a superior opposing force. Her differences made it incredibly difficult – seemingly impossible -- to accomplish the purpose Christ had for her. But that did not stop her. She did not let it discourage her, distract her from her mission or compromise her purity. She accomplished all of it … at the age of 17. She embraced her difference and made a difference. She may have been a woman, but men of God can learn from Joan of Ark.
Young men, do you ever feel like you don’t “fit in”? Do you get ridiculed or made fun of by others for not taking part in activities that the world says is normal and acceptable? If not, you may have a problem. If so, good! You are on the right track. You are not supposed to fit in. You were created to be different. The Psalmist writes of this when he says, ““the Lord has set apart the godly for himself” (Psalms 4:3). Did you catch that? Set apart. Different. The New Testament speaks even more strongly about this difference in 1 Peter 2:11-12: “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” In other words, if you desire to be a man of God, then you are expected to be different from the world around you.
It is important to be different for several reasons. First, having the courage to be different teaches you to rely on God’s strength and measure your worth based on God’s standard of approval, not the world’s standard. If you make decisions based on the world’s opinion of you, then your heart will become hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:13). You will not be able to hear the voice of God, understand His purpose for you or be used by Him. That is why Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” You should also be different because God demands it. If you are a friend of the world it means that you hate God and are His enemy (James 4:4). Like it or not, there is no middle ground. In the words of Joshua, “Choose for yourself this day whom you will serve.” Finally, we need to understand that being different pleases God and that He will reward us for it. This is a recurring theme in the Bible, but especially in Hebrews 11 – the “Champions of Faith” chapter. Verses 13-15 make the specific point that these people lived differently (aliens and strangers on earth), which pleased God and earned His reward.
So what does it mean to be different? There are many ways the man of God can be different from the world around him, but I believe the cornerstone of being different is purity. Interestingly enough, Joan of Arc was known for her purity more than anything else. In the words of author Jeff O’Leary, “… one of the most remarkable facets of Joan’s leadership was the power of purity in her character and its effect on those who followed her.” Purity is very powerful and it takes many forms. It is wholehearted devotion to God (Jeremiah 29:13). It is the pursuit of holiness (1 Peter 1:13-17). It is unwavering integrity (Psalm 41:12, Proverbs 13:6). It protects us (1 Timothy 4:16) and guides our thoughts (Philippians 4:8). It requires humility (1 Peter 5:5-6) and the confession of sin (1 John 1:9). It is one of the ways a young person is called to set an example for other believers (1 Timothy 4:12). But most of all, Psalm 51:10-12 (one of my favorite passages in the Bible and frequent prayers) shows us the greatest result of purity: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore me to the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.” In other words, purity is the difference God uses in a man to lead others to the redeeming love of His son, Jesus Christ.
It should be obvious by now that godly leadership requires not just a reluctant willingness to be different, but rather a deep, passionate, fervent desire to be set apart from the world. How many leaders do you know who are the same as everybody around them? None! A leader is someone who is different; someone who stands out in a crowd. Matthew 5:13 says we are to be the “salt of the earth” and that “if the salt loses its saltiness … it is no longer good for anything.” If you understand the characteristics of salt, then you should also understand the powerful implications of that verse. When salt is added to something else it doesn’t change. The thing to which it is added to changes. God wants us to be different from the world so that He can use us to change the world. Building a relationship with a non-believer is not about trying to establish common bonds with them. It is about living life with them and loving them without being like them. Why would a person who is genuinely trying to fill the God-shaped hole in his heart be drawn to someone who is like him if he already knows he is lacking? He is not searching for what he already has. He is searching for something different. Moreover, if we are like the world and share their perspective, how will we be able to recognize their pain, emptiness and need for a savior? Young men, I implore you, take a moment to look up 2 Timothy 2:15. Study it and take it to heart. Seek only God’s approval. Do not be ashamed to be different. Pursue purity. Measure yourself according to God’s truth and nothing else. If you do, I am absolutely confident God will use you to lead the way in the lives of others and make a difference for Him.
Mike McFarland
Challenge Guest Director
It’s gotta be significant.
If you’re really inside changing my life
You would shine, You would be evident
if there’s a difference.
There’s a difference.
The Difference (lyrics excerpt)
Philmont
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
Joan of Ark was different. Very different. She was a peasant woman in a man’s world. Yet, God gave her a mission in life that most would think only the bravest of knights might have any hope of achieving. The place was France. The year was 1429. The situation was grave. The country was divided, without a king on the throne and in danger of being taken over by the English. Joan’s mission was to facilitate the restoration of her country’s independence by convincing the discouraged, displaced king to rally his loyal followers and lead them into battle in order to reclaim his rightful place on the throne. Completing this mission required her to journey alone through dangerous enemy territory, gain the audience of untouchable French nobles and lead soldiers into battle against a superior opposing force. Her differences made it incredibly difficult – seemingly impossible -- to accomplish the purpose Christ had for her. But that did not stop her. She did not let it discourage her, distract her from her mission or compromise her purity. She accomplished all of it … at the age of 17. She embraced her difference and made a difference. She may have been a woman, but men of God can learn from Joan of Ark.
Young men, do you ever feel like you don’t “fit in”? Do you get ridiculed or made fun of by others for not taking part in activities that the world says is normal and acceptable? If not, you may have a problem. If so, good! You are on the right track. You are not supposed to fit in. You were created to be different. The Psalmist writes of this when he says, ““the Lord has set apart the godly for himself” (Psalms 4:3). Did you catch that? Set apart. Different. The New Testament speaks even more strongly about this difference in 1 Peter 2:11-12: “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” In other words, if you desire to be a man of God, then you are expected to be different from the world around you.
It is important to be different for several reasons. First, having the courage to be different teaches you to rely on God’s strength and measure your worth based on God’s standard of approval, not the world’s standard. If you make decisions based on the world’s opinion of you, then your heart will become hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:13). You will not be able to hear the voice of God, understand His purpose for you or be used by Him. That is why Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” You should also be different because God demands it. If you are a friend of the world it means that you hate God and are His enemy (James 4:4). Like it or not, there is no middle ground. In the words of Joshua, “Choose for yourself this day whom you will serve.” Finally, we need to understand that being different pleases God and that He will reward us for it. This is a recurring theme in the Bible, but especially in Hebrews 11 – the “Champions of Faith” chapter. Verses 13-15 make the specific point that these people lived differently (aliens and strangers on earth), which pleased God and earned His reward.
So what does it mean to be different? There are many ways the man of God can be different from the world around him, but I believe the cornerstone of being different is purity. Interestingly enough, Joan of Arc was known for her purity more than anything else. In the words of author Jeff O’Leary, “… one of the most remarkable facets of Joan’s leadership was the power of purity in her character and its effect on those who followed her.” Purity is very powerful and it takes many forms. It is wholehearted devotion to God (Jeremiah 29:13). It is the pursuit of holiness (1 Peter 1:13-17). It is unwavering integrity (Psalm 41:12, Proverbs 13:6). It protects us (1 Timothy 4:16) and guides our thoughts (Philippians 4:8). It requires humility (1 Peter 5:5-6) and the confession of sin (1 John 1:9). It is one of the ways a young person is called to set an example for other believers (1 Timothy 4:12). But most of all, Psalm 51:10-12 (one of my favorite passages in the Bible and frequent prayers) shows us the greatest result of purity: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore me to the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.” In other words, purity is the difference God uses in a man to lead others to the redeeming love of His son, Jesus Christ.
It should be obvious by now that godly leadership requires not just a reluctant willingness to be different, but rather a deep, passionate, fervent desire to be set apart from the world. How many leaders do you know who are the same as everybody around them? None! A leader is someone who is different; someone who stands out in a crowd. Matthew 5:13 says we are to be the “salt of the earth” and that “if the salt loses its saltiness … it is no longer good for anything.” If you understand the characteristics of salt, then you should also understand the powerful implications of that verse. When salt is added to something else it doesn’t change. The thing to which it is added to changes. God wants us to be different from the world so that He can use us to change the world. Building a relationship with a non-believer is not about trying to establish common bonds with them. It is about living life with them and loving them without being like them. Why would a person who is genuinely trying to fill the God-shaped hole in his heart be drawn to someone who is like him if he already knows he is lacking? He is not searching for what he already has. He is searching for something different. Moreover, if we are like the world and share their perspective, how will we be able to recognize their pain, emptiness and need for a savior? Young men, I implore you, take a moment to look up 2 Timothy 2:15. Study it and take it to heart. Seek only God’s approval. Do not be ashamed to be different. Pursue purity. Measure yourself according to God’s truth and nothing else. If you do, I am absolutely confident God will use you to lead the way in the lives of others and make a difference for Him.
Mike McFarland
Challenge Guest Director
Thursday, July 29, 2010
SACRIFICE, SERVICE, and DUTY
"I will very gladly spend and be spent for you;" 2 Corinthians 12:15. Close your eyes with me and imagine if you will the heat coming from your feet. Your feet groan and gasp for fresh air as the throb for more blood to flow through them. You rub at your feet through your boots. Your boots are hot and wet with sweat. You and fifty other recruits have just finished a five-mile forced march a Challenge. John over there fell behind constantly. Dexter …more about characteristics of the group… Which of these men will you pick to associate with? Why? Which of these will you shy away from? Why? God has done all He can to wash our selfishness away and make our hearts yearn to deliberately identify with Jesus Christ's interests in other people, and Jesus Christ is interested in every one of these men. We have no right to be guided by the things that we like; this is one of the biggest tests of our relationship to Jesus Christ. It is not about you or me. John 15:13, Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Take some time right now and transition away from the thought of death as associated with this verse. When you read “lay down his life” think “give up his desires” or “let go of his plans”. You and I need to get to a spiritually mature place in life where we can sacrifice all. I don’t mean to fling my life away, but deliberately lay my selfish desires aside for the good of others around me. I need to lay out my life for Jesus to use as He sees fit. Jesus has interest in other people. Hmmm, Jesus is interested in people, not causes. Let’s you and I plan to win people to Jesus not to us. I challenge you to make yourself of use to your fellow men. Do what it takes to get off of any pedestals. Be with the common men. Became a sacramental personality; wherever you go, ensure Jesus Christ can help Himself to your life.
Many of us invest our lives engaged in activities that will get us where we want to go, make us who we want to be. Jesus Christ cannot help Himself to our lives. I challenge you to (and I will do it too) abandon your self to Jesus. If we can do this then we will have no ends of our own to serve. I want the backbone of our individual lives to be devotion to Jesus. Did you do the word study on “devote”? Did you find that it means irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the LORD, often by totally destroying them? We are inclined to be devoted. Unfortunately our inclination is not to Jesus Christ, but rather to things which distract us from our spiritual maturity. I remember when I was a little tike in grade school. My best friend, Sean Trapani, and I were bullied on the playground after recess. The leader of the gang told us he would kill us if we mentioned this to anyone. I vowed, with my best friend in the whole world, to take that risk and turn the bullies in to the principal. At the risk of death Sean and I went to the principal’s office and did our deed. We were devoted to each other. What a dynamic duo, we were. Wild? Extravagant? When a man is devoted or committed, it is not unheard of to live this way. Let’s be devoted to Jesus Christ and the things or people He is interested in.
So that is it for the sacrifice. Let’s deal with the service. The second part of our opening scripture verse is "Though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved." 2 Corinthians 12:15. Natural devotion expects some return, but I challenge you to not care whether you get love in return or not, be willing to empty yourself completely, so that that you can get others to God. 2 Corinthians 8:9 reminds us, "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor." Have the mindset, “I do not care what it costs. I will spend myself, and I will do it gladly”.
I always thought that the world prodigal meant returning. You know the story of the “prodigal son”. He came home after he failed miserably. Well I was wrong. Check it out. Prodigal means giving out in great abundance, threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources. That makes sense for the story. It also makes me think that I want to be a prodigal son. An heir of God’s throne who spends everything on the ones that God cares about. Jesus Christ's idea of service is that we serve Him by being the servants of other men. He says that in His Kingdom he that is greatest shall be the servant of all. So go ahead and preach the gospel, but don’t forget to wash feet. Do the things that natural man does not value. Use God’s value system. Count it all joy to spend yourself out for God's interests in other people. Shake the natural or carnal economical notions - "Suppose God wants me to go there - what about the salary? What are the conditions like? What is in it for me?" These questions are an indication that we are serving God with a reserve. Remember…No reserve, No regret, and No retreat. Focus on Jesus Christ's idea of a New Testament saint, i.e. not one who proclaims the Gospel merely, but one who becomes broken bread and poured out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for other lives. This idea brings to my mind the story of a group of men whose motto is “that others may live”. They are the pararescue or PJ (parachute jumper). Two U.S. pilots crashed in combat. The rescue helicopters were launched to recover the crashed pilots. PJ#2 was on the low bird. The downed pilots made their way to a useable LZ and the rescue birds landed near them. PJ#1 ran down to them to make sure that they were OK and that they could get to the rescue chopper. PJ#2 grabbed an M-60 machinegun and left the aircraft to get in a defensive position so that he could hold off the enemy that were moving into the area. After the survivors hopped on board, the PJ#1 covered PJ#2 who was now making his way back to the aircraft. All of this time, they were being shot at. Wow, let us sacrifice our comfort and safety for the souls that Jesus cares for.
John 16:32 shares a sad concept. "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.” Many a Christian worker has left Jesus Christ alone and gone into the work place from a sense of duty, or a sense of need. This behavior arises out of man made discernment. Protect yourself young man from being enticed away from the life giving power of Jesus. The soul can grow out of intimate contact with God by leaning to its own understanding. There is no sin in it, and no punishment attached to it; but when the one realizes how he has held back his understanding of Jesus Christ, and produced for himself perplexities and sorrows and difficulties, it is with shame and great loss he has to come back. Don’t allow yourself to go away in the first place. Stay intimate with God. Seek His face, His presence, His being. Do not seek His hand, His ability to give to you, His possessions.
Be where God is. Look to see where He is blessing in your life and stay there. Do not go somewhere and ask to be blessed. We need to rely on our life-producing power of God much deeper than we do. We need to live a life that constantly refers all decisions back to God and His will, His domain. Instead, many of us make our natural-minded decisions and ask God to bless them. He cannot, it is not in His domain, and it is severed from reality. We are protected when we are in God’s domain. So service vice duty. If we do a thing from a sense of duty, we are acting in competition with Jesus Christ. We have the character that says; "Now in this matter I must do this and that." We have put our sense of duty on the throne instead of the life giving power of Jesus. We are not told to walk in the light of conscience or of a sense of duty. Isaiah 50:11 warns us, But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment. We are to walk in the light as God is in the light. When we do anything from a sense of duty, we can back it up by argument; when we do anything in obedience to the Lord; there is no argument possible.
Your Prodigal Brother
Bruce Stansbury
2010 Challenge Program Director
Many of us invest our lives engaged in activities that will get us where we want to go, make us who we want to be. Jesus Christ cannot help Himself to our lives. I challenge you to (and I will do it too) abandon your self to Jesus. If we can do this then we will have no ends of our own to serve. I want the backbone of our individual lives to be devotion to Jesus. Did you do the word study on “devote”? Did you find that it means irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the LORD, often by totally destroying them? We are inclined to be devoted. Unfortunately our inclination is not to Jesus Christ, but rather to things which distract us from our spiritual maturity. I remember when I was a little tike in grade school. My best friend, Sean Trapani, and I were bullied on the playground after recess. The leader of the gang told us he would kill us if we mentioned this to anyone. I vowed, with my best friend in the whole world, to take that risk and turn the bullies in to the principal. At the risk of death Sean and I went to the principal’s office and did our deed. We were devoted to each other. What a dynamic duo, we were. Wild? Extravagant? When a man is devoted or committed, it is not unheard of to live this way. Let’s be devoted to Jesus Christ and the things or people He is interested in.
So that is it for the sacrifice. Let’s deal with the service. The second part of our opening scripture verse is "Though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved." 2 Corinthians 12:15. Natural devotion expects some return, but I challenge you to not care whether you get love in return or not, be willing to empty yourself completely, so that that you can get others to God. 2 Corinthians 8:9 reminds us, "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor." Have the mindset, “I do not care what it costs. I will spend myself, and I will do it gladly”.
I always thought that the world prodigal meant returning. You know the story of the “prodigal son”. He came home after he failed miserably. Well I was wrong. Check it out. Prodigal means giving out in great abundance, threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources. That makes sense for the story. It also makes me think that I want to be a prodigal son. An heir of God’s throne who spends everything on the ones that God cares about. Jesus Christ's idea of service is that we serve Him by being the servants of other men. He says that in His Kingdom he that is greatest shall be the servant of all. So go ahead and preach the gospel, but don’t forget to wash feet. Do the things that natural man does not value. Use God’s value system. Count it all joy to spend yourself out for God's interests in other people. Shake the natural or carnal economical notions - "Suppose God wants me to go there - what about the salary? What are the conditions like? What is in it for me?" These questions are an indication that we are serving God with a reserve. Remember…No reserve, No regret, and No retreat. Focus on Jesus Christ's idea of a New Testament saint, i.e. not one who proclaims the Gospel merely, but one who becomes broken bread and poured out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for other lives. This idea brings to my mind the story of a group of men whose motto is “that others may live”. They are the pararescue or PJ (parachute jumper). Two U.S. pilots crashed in combat. The rescue helicopters were launched to recover the crashed pilots. PJ#2 was on the low bird. The downed pilots made their way to a useable LZ and the rescue birds landed near them. PJ#1 ran down to them to make sure that they were OK and that they could get to the rescue chopper. PJ#2 grabbed an M-60 machinegun and left the aircraft to get in a defensive position so that he could hold off the enemy that were moving into the area. After the survivors hopped on board, the PJ#1 covered PJ#2 who was now making his way back to the aircraft. All of this time, they were being shot at. Wow, let us sacrifice our comfort and safety for the souls that Jesus cares for.
John 16:32 shares a sad concept. "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.” Many a Christian worker has left Jesus Christ alone and gone into the work place from a sense of duty, or a sense of need. This behavior arises out of man made discernment. Protect yourself young man from being enticed away from the life giving power of Jesus. The soul can grow out of intimate contact with God by leaning to its own understanding. There is no sin in it, and no punishment attached to it; but when the one realizes how he has held back his understanding of Jesus Christ, and produced for himself perplexities and sorrows and difficulties, it is with shame and great loss he has to come back. Don’t allow yourself to go away in the first place. Stay intimate with God. Seek His face, His presence, His being. Do not seek His hand, His ability to give to you, His possessions.
Be where God is. Look to see where He is blessing in your life and stay there. Do not go somewhere and ask to be blessed. We need to rely on our life-producing power of God much deeper than we do. We need to live a life that constantly refers all decisions back to God and His will, His domain. Instead, many of us make our natural-minded decisions and ask God to bless them. He cannot, it is not in His domain, and it is severed from reality. We are protected when we are in God’s domain. So service vice duty. If we do a thing from a sense of duty, we are acting in competition with Jesus Christ. We have the character that says; "Now in this matter I must do this and that." We have put our sense of duty on the throne instead of the life giving power of Jesus. We are not told to walk in the light of conscience or of a sense of duty. Isaiah 50:11 warns us, But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment. We are to walk in the light as God is in the light. When we do anything from a sense of duty, we can back it up by argument; when we do anything in obedience to the Lord; there is no argument possible.
Your Prodigal Brother
Bruce Stansbury
2010 Challenge Program Director
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Strength & Honor: Character Lessons of Centurion Leadership
“Brothers, what we do in life echoes in eternity.”-- Maximus Decimus Meridius
“I believe that character reaps destinies.” -- Colonel Jeff O’Leary (Ret.)
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
In 2000, the movie Gladiator won five Academy Awards. It is easy to understand why, as it is the story of an unselfish, courageous leader who led by example, fought to triumph good over evil and stood firm to the end in the face of overwhelming odds. The hero of the movie was Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman Centurion. Before each battle Maximus would say to his fellow warriors, “Strength and honor.” These words were the oath of Centurion and represented the ideal to which every Roman Centurion adhered. They also hold important character lessons and represent an important model for godly leadership.
To fully appreciate the ideals of “strength and honor,” it is necessary to understand what it meant to be a Roman Centurion. The Centurion was not your standard soldier or “legionnaire.” Rather, a Centurion was a leader in charge of 100 men. In his book, The Centurion Principles, author Colonel Jeff O’Leary (Ret.) describes a Centurion:
A battle-hardened legionnaire was promoted to the rank of Centurion based on at least sixteen years of combat service and valor at the point of the spear. He was able to carry ninety pounds of equipment at least twenty miles per day and train under the harshest of conditions. The Centurion was required to equip himself at his own expense and pay for his own food, clothing, bedding, boots, arms, armor, and pay dues to the burial club. He was a skilled engineer and builder in addition to being the finest combat soldier. He held ultimate sway over the welfare of every man who served in his hundred-man century. The enlistment period was for twenty-five years, after which a cash payment and small plot of land were provided (unless the treasury was short of cash, in which case, commitment to service was involuntarily extended)… To rise to Centurion was considered the highest honor a legionnaire could attain. The Centurion always led his troops from the front.
As you can see, there was no easy way to become a Centurion. It was not a position of appointment and could not be purchased. It required complete and total dedication to a singular purpose, seasoned by harsh, brutal experience over a long period of time. It is also an excellent model for the character Christ desires in a man, because it addresses the “how and why” of Godly leadership. For that reason, it is beneficial to take a closer look at the “strength” (how) and “honor” (why) of a Centurion.
There are many different aspects pertaining to the “strength” of a leader. However, the aspect I want to focus on is strength of character. In my last blog post, I talked about the importance of developing mental toughness in order to endure hardship. This time, I want to examine the role faith plays in maintaining strength of character. 1 Corinthians 16:13 states, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” This verse could easily be part of a Centurion’s order to his men before a battle and it effectively and succinctly summarizes the meaning of strength in the Centurion oath. The first time I studied it, however, one phrase stood out more than the others: stand firm in the faith. It begged the questions, “What does it mean to “stand firm” and how does that apply to faith?
There are many definitions for the phrase “stand firm,” but the following five seemed especially relevant: 1. Refusal to abandon one’s opinion or belief. 2. Not wavering in the face of fear or hardship. 3. Possessing fortitude (Strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain with adversity or courage) and perseverance. 4. Refuse to back down; remain solid under criticism or attack. 5. Be steadfast or upright. All of these are attributes any man would desire for himself. As for the definition of faith, one needs only to look up Hebrews 11:1-2, which states, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” If these definitions of “stand firm” are applied to the Biblical definition of faith, then the picture becomes clear. Just as the Centurion was expected to persevere until the enemy was vanquished, “standing firm in the faith” means the man of God must maintain trust in our Heavenly Father and finish the mission regardless of the pain or perceived impossibility of the situation. In short, it is an unyielding confidence in the omnipotence of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. Ironically, in Matthew 8:8-10, the Bible even uses a Roman Centurion to illustrate this truth. I do not think that is coincidence. Finally, the need for unwavering faith further reinforced by Hebrews 10:37-39, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, ‘He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.’ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. “ How is Centurion strength of character attained? It is attained by learning to stand firm in your faith in God.
Nehemiah chapter 7 is a good place to begin examining the honor of a Centurion. The walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and it was time for Nehemiah to appoint leaders over the city. One of the men he chose to lead was Hananiah. The Bible says that Hananiah was chosen specifically because “… he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do.” In other words, Hananiah was chosen because he understood the meaning of honor. When used as a noun, honor is our reputation. It is our character, as seen or judged by others. Nehemiah also understood that men who have a reputation of integrity and purity of character have the ability to powerfully motivate those under their care. This is especially true for leaders, whose conduct (especially during times of difficulty and stress) speaks volumes about their character. When a godly man is appointed to a position of leadership, God uses him to affect the lives of others and speaks through him to accomplish His purpose.
Honor is not just a noun. It is also a verb. When used as a verb, honor is the respect or reverence we have for another. That is what is meant by Hananiah’s fear of God. To honor God is to revere Him; to have a profound, adoring, awed respect for Him. The Roman Centurion also understood this concept. Why did he adhere to uncompromising ideals? Not just because his personal reputation was at stake but, more importantly, to show honor to his emperor. As men of God in positions of leadership over others, we must also understand this. In the words of author Jeff O’Leary, “We who lead are reminded that we are responsible to more than earthly authority when we are placed in leadership over others.” We must never forget that Christ alone is the source of our strength and that we must strive to honor Him in everything we do and say. As the Bible says in Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. “ That, more than anything else, is why the man of God must possess character that demonstrates the honor of a Centurion.
Right about now, the enemy might be trying to convince you that you do not have what it takes to develop the character of a Centurion. That is a lie. The truth is that Satan knows God uses righteous men to lead the way here on earth. Satan also knows that God doesn’t need men who are skilled at many things. Rather, He looks for men of integrity, who fear Him and are willing to go when sent. If a man possesses those qualities, God will provide him with the additional training and skill necessary to complete the mission. As Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, so eloquently puts it,
“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”
Young men, take 1 Corinthians 16:13 to heart. Strive to live your life in service to the Lord Jesus Christ with the strength and honor of a Centurion.
Mike McFarland
Guest Director
“I believe that character reaps destinies.” -- Colonel Jeff O’Leary (Ret.)
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
In 2000, the movie Gladiator won five Academy Awards. It is easy to understand why, as it is the story of an unselfish, courageous leader who led by example, fought to triumph good over evil and stood firm to the end in the face of overwhelming odds. The hero of the movie was Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman Centurion. Before each battle Maximus would say to his fellow warriors, “Strength and honor.” These words were the oath of Centurion and represented the ideal to which every Roman Centurion adhered. They also hold important character lessons and represent an important model for godly leadership.
To fully appreciate the ideals of “strength and honor,” it is necessary to understand what it meant to be a Roman Centurion. The Centurion was not your standard soldier or “legionnaire.” Rather, a Centurion was a leader in charge of 100 men. In his book, The Centurion Principles, author Colonel Jeff O’Leary (Ret.) describes a Centurion:
A battle-hardened legionnaire was promoted to the rank of Centurion based on at least sixteen years of combat service and valor at the point of the spear. He was able to carry ninety pounds of equipment at least twenty miles per day and train under the harshest of conditions. The Centurion was required to equip himself at his own expense and pay for his own food, clothing, bedding, boots, arms, armor, and pay dues to the burial club. He was a skilled engineer and builder in addition to being the finest combat soldier. He held ultimate sway over the welfare of every man who served in his hundred-man century. The enlistment period was for twenty-five years, after which a cash payment and small plot of land were provided (unless the treasury was short of cash, in which case, commitment to service was involuntarily extended)… To rise to Centurion was considered the highest honor a legionnaire could attain. The Centurion always led his troops from the front.
As you can see, there was no easy way to become a Centurion. It was not a position of appointment and could not be purchased. It required complete and total dedication to a singular purpose, seasoned by harsh, brutal experience over a long period of time. It is also an excellent model for the character Christ desires in a man, because it addresses the “how and why” of Godly leadership. For that reason, it is beneficial to take a closer look at the “strength” (how) and “honor” (why) of a Centurion.
There are many different aspects pertaining to the “strength” of a leader. However, the aspect I want to focus on is strength of character. In my last blog post, I talked about the importance of developing mental toughness in order to endure hardship. This time, I want to examine the role faith plays in maintaining strength of character. 1 Corinthians 16:13 states, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” This verse could easily be part of a Centurion’s order to his men before a battle and it effectively and succinctly summarizes the meaning of strength in the Centurion oath. The first time I studied it, however, one phrase stood out more than the others: stand firm in the faith. It begged the questions, “What does it mean to “stand firm” and how does that apply to faith?
There are many definitions for the phrase “stand firm,” but the following five seemed especially relevant: 1. Refusal to abandon one’s opinion or belief. 2. Not wavering in the face of fear or hardship. 3. Possessing fortitude (Strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain with adversity or courage) and perseverance. 4. Refuse to back down; remain solid under criticism or attack. 5. Be steadfast or upright. All of these are attributes any man would desire for himself. As for the definition of faith, one needs only to look up Hebrews 11:1-2, which states, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” If these definitions of “stand firm” are applied to the Biblical definition of faith, then the picture becomes clear. Just as the Centurion was expected to persevere until the enemy was vanquished, “standing firm in the faith” means the man of God must maintain trust in our Heavenly Father and finish the mission regardless of the pain or perceived impossibility of the situation. In short, it is an unyielding confidence in the omnipotence of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. Ironically, in Matthew 8:8-10, the Bible even uses a Roman Centurion to illustrate this truth. I do not think that is coincidence. Finally, the need for unwavering faith further reinforced by Hebrews 10:37-39, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, ‘He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.’ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. “ How is Centurion strength of character attained? It is attained by learning to stand firm in your faith in God.
Nehemiah chapter 7 is a good place to begin examining the honor of a Centurion. The walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and it was time for Nehemiah to appoint leaders over the city. One of the men he chose to lead was Hananiah. The Bible says that Hananiah was chosen specifically because “… he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do.” In other words, Hananiah was chosen because he understood the meaning of honor. When used as a noun, honor is our reputation. It is our character, as seen or judged by others. Nehemiah also understood that men who have a reputation of integrity and purity of character have the ability to powerfully motivate those under their care. This is especially true for leaders, whose conduct (especially during times of difficulty and stress) speaks volumes about their character. When a godly man is appointed to a position of leadership, God uses him to affect the lives of others and speaks through him to accomplish His purpose.
Honor is not just a noun. It is also a verb. When used as a verb, honor is the respect or reverence we have for another. That is what is meant by Hananiah’s fear of God. To honor God is to revere Him; to have a profound, adoring, awed respect for Him. The Roman Centurion also understood this concept. Why did he adhere to uncompromising ideals? Not just because his personal reputation was at stake but, more importantly, to show honor to his emperor. As men of God in positions of leadership over others, we must also understand this. In the words of author Jeff O’Leary, “We who lead are reminded that we are responsible to more than earthly authority when we are placed in leadership over others.” We must never forget that Christ alone is the source of our strength and that we must strive to honor Him in everything we do and say. As the Bible says in Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. “ That, more than anything else, is why the man of God must possess character that demonstrates the honor of a Centurion.
Right about now, the enemy might be trying to convince you that you do not have what it takes to develop the character of a Centurion. That is a lie. The truth is that Satan knows God uses righteous men to lead the way here on earth. Satan also knows that God doesn’t need men who are skilled at many things. Rather, He looks for men of integrity, who fear Him and are willing to go when sent. If a man possesses those qualities, God will provide him with the additional training and skill necessary to complete the mission. As Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, so eloquently puts it,
“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”
Young men, take 1 Corinthians 16:13 to heart. Strive to live your life in service to the Lord Jesus Christ with the strength and honor of a Centurion.
Mike McFarland
Guest Director
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