Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:23-25
Would you like to know how to have a God-sighting every day? For me, it’s the community of believers that makes the difference – most especially my men’s ministry peeps.
“Let us consider how to provoke one another…” encourage the guys sitting next to us, spur on our neighbor, motivate each other; all for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds.
Typically, when I meet with friends from church, one of the first things we talk about is where we have seen God at work in our lives over the previous few days. We call them, variously, God moments, God sightings, or catching up on our spiritual journey.
These are the times when we actually noticed God’s presence, or we had been touched by Grace, or when we were sure we felt the brush of an angel’s wings, times when God-with-us was undeniably real.
“Where have you witnessed God at work this week?” I’ll ask. “Where has your faith journey led you?” “Where, in your day to day, did you pause and think, ‘this is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus!'”
The key, I believe, is to wake up each morning and – in prayer – declare our intention to witness God’s work in and through our lives. And it drives me crazy – the guys already know this – when I parse the question and there are men present who have absolutely nothing to say!
“Really?” I’ll sometimes say; “the only ‘homework’ I ever ask for is that of taking note of the times you run into God. And you’re telling me you skipped that every single day this week?”
- How about beginning each day by asking God, “Let me see your glory today! Meet me in my interactions with people! Challenge me to serve you! Give me the opportunity to share my story with someone who needs to hear a word of grace…”
Typically, everyone in the Bible study has a story to share. Because sometimes it’s simply a matter of opening our eyes, of training our ears to tune in, of learning how to see. God’s revealing evidence is everywhere, we just have to pay closer attention.
My God-Sighting:
This week my key “God Sighting” was the Wednesday evening meeting itself. It’s the first week of August, many folks are traveling with their families, and a lot of ministry initiatives take a summer break. But not my guys! I had a room full, including two new men who were there for the first time.
It always encourages my heart to see such commitment and enthusiasm for following Jesus. Everyone had something to say about their walk with God; everyone was there with a receptive heart.
So let me share the announcement I had in our church newsfeed the past couple of weeks. It’s my invitation for men to join us, and commit to a more deliberate journey with Jesus. Feel free to use the words in your church if you think it’s what the guys you know need to hear:
Calling all men! In a world that can be a little crazy sometimes, I’d like to invite you to a place that’s solid ground. Every Wednesday evening WFPC men get together for mutual support, encouragement, Bible study, and prayer. We meet in the CLC at 7:00, in the room next to the kitchen. We’ve discovered we’re good for each other, and we think you would be good for us too. Contact Derek Maul – derekmaul@gmail.com (or, meet with the Saturday morning crowd in the Youth Room at 7:00)
“We have discovered we’re good for each other, and we think you would be good for us too.” That’s because we’re all about provoking one another, encouraging the guy sitting next to us, spurring our neighbor on, motivating each other; all for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds.
Think about it. Pray about it. Then let me know how it’s going – DEREK
(here are some men’s ministry books I know will help – you can find them all at this link)
Derek Maul: Words, Photographs, and Food for the Journey 