MSM CONNECTIONS
For the week of
The Men’s Ministry e-mail newsletter
of
Our mission: Our mission is to lead
men to
Jesus Christ and provide opportunity
for
Christian men to grow in their faith
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MSM
CONNECTIONS is the
opt-in newsletter for the men of New Joy Divine Full Gospel Church. It's
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"I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you....that
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, [and]
that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:1, 3 and 4 (NIV)
CONSIDER
"With God, change in our lives is inevitable, and without
God, it is impossible. No matter how
much we may want to change, until we see God differently we never
will." Craig Barnes (When God
Interrupts)
WHAT'S SO IMPORTANT ABOUT EASTER?
by Rick Warren
The answer, of course, is that the resurrection proved Jesus was
who he claimed to be. He was God in the
flesh, and he came to earth to save us.
Keep in mind the three key events that occurred in a dramatic succession
on that first Easter weekend: the trial of Jesus, the death of Jesus, and
finally the resurrection of Jesus. Let's
look at each of those events and their implications....
http://www.pastors.com/rwmt/default.asp?id=197&artid=8054&expand=1
EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION
by Josh McDowell
For centuries many of the world's distinguished philosophers have
assaulted Christianity as being irrational, superstitious and absurd. Many have
chosen simply to ignore the central issue of the resurrection. Others have tried to explain it away through
various theories. But the historical
evidence just can't be discounted. A
student at the
Read this in full at
http://www.leaderu.com/everystudent/easter/articles/josh2.html
JOIN AN EMAIL BOOK CLUB
Join the Zondervan Breakfast Club and every Monday-Friday you'll
receive a free sample from a book in your inbox. Get sneak previews, win free books, and
decide for yourself if a book is right for you.
Join the club today and take a 5-minute reading break tomorrow. You deserve it!
"YOU DON'T REALLY BELIEVE THAT, DO
YOU?"
"Don't you realize that everything in the Bible is open to
interpretation?" If you've ever
been on the receiving end of that question, you know it can be difficult to
answer. In a recent article at Ravi
Zacharias International Ministries, Amy Orr-Ewing delves into the challenge of
understanding and defending the Bible's credibility. Whether you're on the front lines of
apologetic debate or are yourself wondering why on Earth anybody would look to
the Bible as a reliable source of guidance, you'll find the article challenging
and thought-provoking.
http://www.rzim.org/publications/jttran.php?seqid=102
SPEAKING OF FAITH
The Jewish Roots of the Christian Story: an Interview with Joel
Marcus, Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at
Is there an anti-Semitic strain to the Christian story? That question seems to be revisited in every
generation. Last year at this time, it
was perhaps the most serious question to emerge from all the controversy around
Mel Gibson's movie version of the Passion. Certainly, New Testament writings
about "the Jews" sound inflammatory in modern ears. But Jesus and his disciples and the earliest
Christians were themselves all Jewish.
It's easy to forget this simple fact, especially perhaps in the season
of Easter.
Listen to the NPR program (requires RealPlayer) at
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/index.shtml
NEWS LOOKS AT FAITH IN
A weeklong series on Today, Nightly News, and MSNBC reported on
how faith is woven into the lives of Americans.
See the coverage at
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7067952/
Also see Newsweek's annual Easter reporting of Jesus at
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7244999/site/newsweek/
UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE
The human face is the center of attention not only for all verbal
communication, but much non-verbal communication as well. The websites Thought Project and Stereotypes
each deal with a different side of what goes on when we look at a face. The Thought Project is simplicity itself --
both in mission and execution. Wondering
what the average pedestrian might be pondering as they commuted from point A to
B, Danish photographer Simon Hoegsberg went up to strangers on the streets of
New York and Copenhagen and asked them what they were thinking the moment
before he stopped them. He then recorded
the responses and took photographs of 150 willing participants (of which 55 are
currently featured online). See it at
http://www.simonhoegsberg.com/
Stereotypes is the creation of
California-based photographer, Eric Myer.
Adapting a common children's book device of horizontally splitting pages
in half in order to create cartoon hybrids of various animals, Stereotypes
presents visitors with 20 (split) head-and-shoulders thumbnails of men, women,
and one child of various races, lifestyles, -- all of which can generate a full-sized
image on the same page. See it at
http://www.ericmyer.com/red/stereotypes.htm
PROJECT IMPLICIT
Project Implicit represents a collaborative research effort
between researchers at
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/
HE LIVES!
"Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives."
BASIC BIBLE DOCTRINE
V. The Resurrection of Christ
A. Proofs of Christ's resurrection
1. The tomb was empty (Matt.18:1-4 etc.). If the
body had been stolen by the Romans, they could have produced it to disprove the
resurrection (Matt.28:11-15). If the disciples had stolen the body it is
impossible that they would have been willing to die for a lie (Acts 4:1-22;
2. Christ appeared numerous time (John 20:11-18;
Matt.28:8-10; 1 Cor.15:5; Luke 24:13-32; 36-43; John 20:26-29; 21:1-14; 1
Cor.15:6,7; Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:9-12). The sheer
numbers of witnesses explains why 2 months later Peter's claim that Christ was
raised were not contradicted (Acts
B. The Nature of Christ's resurrection. It was a
physical bodily resurrection (Luke 24:39-43; John 20:27). Christ's resurrection
body was not merely a "spiritual" or immaterial body. It was His
physical body literally raised and gloriously transformed (John
C. The significance of Christ's resurrection
1. Christ's resurrection proves the
trustworthiness of Christ's word (Matt.28:6) and of Scripture (1 Cor.15:4;
Psalm 16:8).
2. Christ's resurrection proves the validity of
trusting in Christ's death for salvation ("The gospel" - 1 Cor.15:1-5,14,17).
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=540
LEADERSHIP TIPS (BUSINESS, FAMILY, LIFE)
Take difficult decisions bravely, and be truthful and sensitive
when you implement them.
http://www.alanchapman.com/leadership.htm
VERSE TO PONDER
"Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when
God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit." Romans 1:4 (NLT)
CONSIDER
"Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test
first, the lesson afterward." -
MORE PEOPLE USE CHRISTIAN MEDIA THAN
ATTEND CHURCH
In our media-drenched society, people have become accustomed to
experiencing and interpreting reality through the mass media. A new survey by George Barna shows that the
faith realm is no different. More
Americans currently receive religious information, training, and experiences
through the media than through involvement with a local church. Discover the reach of these media among
Christians and non-Christians alike by reading this free report at
USING BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES IN FINANCIAL
DECISIONS
by Howard Dayton
Christians make the best financial decisions when they're eager to
understand God's biblical directives and follow His plan for their lives. Every decision believers make requires a
thorough understanding of God's attitudes, and that understanding comes from
studying God's Word and communicating with Him. If Christians never ask God's
direction regarding investments of financial decisions, they never will receive
an answer.
The following principles should be considered when making
financial decisions.
-- Avoid speculation.
-- Keep finances current.
-- Uphold Christian witness.
-- Give - don't loan.
-- Never cosign.
-- Avoid indulgence.
-- Prepare for decreases.
-- Let peace rule.
-- Listen to God's Word.
Read this article in full at
http://www.bpnews.net/bpcolumn.asp?ID=1765
PSALM 23 FOR THE WORKPLACE
The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without murmuring
and complaining.
He reminds me that HE is my source (and not my job.) He restores my sanity everyday and guides my
decisions that I might honor him in all that I do.
Even though I face an absurd amount of e-mails, system crashes,
unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating
supervisors and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I still
will not stop -- for He is with me!
His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through.
He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.
He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me
go.
His faithfulness and love are better than any bonus check.
His retirement plan beats every 401k there is!
When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot
longer and for that, I bless His name!
WHY AM I ANGRIER THAN I USED TO BE?
by Ed Rowell
During a recent baptism, I paraphrased a passage of Scripture to
fit the situation: "If anyone is in Christ, he or she (I was baptizing a
young woman) is a new creature in Christ."
The next morning, I was going through the cards we use for guest
registration, prayer requests, and miscellaneous information. Suddenly one of them nailed me, by name, for
"daring to change the infallible, inerrant, unchangeable Word of God. When the Bible says 'he,' it means 'he' ...
to change it to fit your rampant feminist agenda is the worst kind of
heresy." Most days I would have
tossed it in the trash with the hope that he buy a
better laxative. But that particular Monday, that note really scorched me. I wasted an hour writing a scathing reply,
even though the note was unsigned. (We've since adopted the policy of trashing
unsigned critiques without reading them.)
At lunch I told a buddy about it, and he asked, "Why did that
one make you so angry?" "I
don't know," I grumped. "I'm
sick of stupid people and their stupid comments and their stupid inability to
rejoice that someone made a public declaration of their faith. I'd like to show him a little heresy right
across the jaw." "Got a little
anger problem there, don't you?" he asked.
"Of course not. It ticks me off that you'd
even mention it."
Okay, I admitted he was right, and we talked it through. We both admitted that over the past few
years, anger arrives a little quicker and stays a little longer than we
like....
This article is directed at pastors, but it applies to us
all. Read it at
CONSIDER
"It was on the last night of His life, when His enemies were
all around Him, that He spoke to His disciples of the joy that no man taketh away. Read
again the story of His Passion: Jesus is seen throughout as calm, quiet, and
confident. His last word is,
"Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit." Someone may say, "Yes, but He knew that
He was going to rise from the dead."
But have we not the same promise for ourselves?" Stephen Neill (1900-1984), The
Christian Character [1955]
VERSE TO PONDER
"Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one
died for all, and therefore all died.
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for
themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NIV)
THIS WEEK'S HYMN: I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES
Words: Samuel Medley, 1775
Music: John Hatton, 1793
I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living Head.
He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.
He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.
He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.
He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I'll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death:
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.
He lives, all glory to His Name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
I know that my Redeemer lives!
>from CyberHymnal at
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/k/iknowtha.htm
GOD FAQ
Question 13: What has God especially decreed concerning angels and
men?
Answer: God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of his mere
love, for the praise of his glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, has
elected some angels to glory; and in Christ has chosen some men to eternal
life, and the means thereof: and also, according to his sovereign power, and
the unsearchable counsel of his own will (whereby he extends or withholds favor
as he pleases), has passed by and foreordained the rest to dishonor and wrath,
to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of his justice.
http://www.shortercatechism.com/
ON PRAYER
"When you pray together, you multiply your joys, divide your
sorrows, add to your experiences with God together, and help subtract your
haunting past from your life. During the
rugged times of your marriage, you can share your burdens. Prayer can also take away the desire to get
even and replace it with a willingness to work things out." Dennis Rainey
PRAY FOR A COUNTRY TODAY
http://www.gmi.org/ow/index.html
DAILY BLESSING PACT
Use the
following list as your daily prayer guide. Think of a brother or situation that
applies and lift them up in prayer.
I am
agreeing in prayer with you for God’s blessings to overtake you!
PERSONAL
Marital
harmony
Family
unity
Children
saved
Faithful
pastor
Spirit-filled
church
Real
friendships
Relatives
redeemed
Educational
benefits
Recreational
time
Fulfilling
career
Favor with
God and man
Be in God’s
will
FINANCIAL
Better Jobs
Raises or
bonuses
Benefits
Sales &
commissions
Settlements
Estates
& inheritances
Investment
increase
Rebates
& returns
Checks in
the mail
Gifts &
surprises
Money to be
found
Bills
decrease while blessings increase
"And all these blessings shall come on thee, and
overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God" (Deut. 28:2).
PRAY FOR THESE BROTHERS
*
Bro.
Edward Corey Phillips
*
Bro.
Rudolph West
*
Bro.
Johnie Gray
*
Bro.
Larry Powell
*
Minister
Arnold Whitehead
*
Pastor
Marvin Gray, Sr.
*
Bro.
Jack Pratt
*
Bro.
Lester Wilkerson
*
Bro.
James Green
*
Minister
Timothy Pulliam
[As you travel on business or vacation, let me know if you'd like
the church guys to pray for your safety and spiritual effectiveness. I'll add your name to the list for the time
you'll be away.]
CLASSIFIEDS
Are you looking for something or do you have something to
sell? Let me know and I'll put it in
this newsletter.
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WEBSITES
Tell us what sites you find enjoyable and why.
Epic Partners International
Christian Urban Legends Debunked
All links to Websites are provided as a service, and do not imply
endorsement by our church.
(BTW: whenever the URLs in this newsletter are too long to turn
into links on your e-mail program, just copy the entire URL (two lines or more)
and paste it into a temporary email message.
Then delete the return in the middle of it and copy it again. Then paste it into your web browser and hit
enter.)
He is risen indeed!
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MSM
CONNECTIONS is a
periodic newsletter of announcements, news, recommendations, articles, and
other information helpful to men in our spiritual growth. Thanks for welcoming MSM
CONNECTIONS into your in-box!
Who to
contact:
Minister
Frank Coleman, Men Servants Ministry Chairman, 773-410-1483,
Minister
Arnold Whitehead, Men Servants Ministry Vice-Chairman, 773-846-6090
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The mission of New Joy Divine Full
Gospel Church is to be a Christ-centered, Bible based, Spirit guided church
meeting the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of its members and the
community it serves.
The Men Servants Ministry (MSM) Team offers
a variety of activities for men to interact with other men on our journey of
faith in Christ together. Large group, small group, and one-to-one events
encourage relationship building and spiritual strengthening that result in
maximizing the potential we all have in Christ. Contact Min. Frank Coleman, 773-410-1483,
[email protected]
if you'd like to participate in a men's discipleship program.
New
Tel:
773-224-5683. Founded & Pastored by Apostle Aaron L. Royster &
Prophetess Mable L. Royster.
Visit our
website at: http://www.newjoydivine.org/
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