MSM CONNECTIONS
For the week of 10/03/04
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
and minister to others.
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MSM CONNECTIONS is the opt-in newsletter for the men of New Joy Divine Full Gospel Church. It's a periodic service that helps connect you with God and with other men at NJD. If you'd like its delivery to your email address stopped, scroll down and follow the instructions at the end of this message. Also let me know if you change your email address and want to keep subscribing to MSM CONNECTIONS.
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"Do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:31-34 (TNIV)
CONSIDER
"Many ordinary treasures may be denied the man who has God, or if he is allowed to have them, the enjoyment of them will be so tempered that they will never be necessary to his happiness. Or if he must see them go, one after one, he will scarcely feel a sense of loss." A. W. Tozer (1897-1963), The Pursuit of God [1948]
LEARNING
SELF-DISCIPLINE
by John MacArthur
For many years, I have had the privilege of knowing the renowned classical guitarist Christopher Parkening. By the time he was 30, he had become a master of his instrument. But such mastery did not come easily or cheaply. While other children played and participated in sports, he spent several hours a day practicing the guitar. The result of that self-disciplined commitment is proficiency on his instrument that few can match.
Self-discipline is best defined as the ability to regulate one's conduct by principle and sound judgment, rather than by impulse, desire, or social custom. Biblically, self-discipline may be summarized in one word: obedience. To exercise self-discipline is to avoid evil by staying within the bounds of God's law.
People who have the ability to concentrate, focus on their goals, and consistently stay within their priorities tend to succeed. Whether in academics, the arts, or athletics, success generally comes to the self-disciplined.
Since self-discipline is so important, how do you develop it? How can parents help their children develop it? Here are some practical tips that I've found helpful:
Start with small things. Clean your room at home or your desk at work. Train yourself to put things where they belong when they are out of place. Make the old adage "A place for everything and everything in its place" your motto. After you've cleaned your room or desk, extend that discipline of neatness to the rest of your house and workplace. Get yourself to the point where orderliness matters. Learn how to keep your environment clean and clear so you can function without a myriad of distractions. Such neatness will further develop self-discipline by forcing you to make decisions about what is important and what is not....
Don't constantly seek to be entertained. When you have free time, do things that are productive instead of merely entertaining. Read a good book, listen to classical music, take a walk, or have a conversation with someone. In other words, learn to entertain yourself with things that are challenging, stimulating, and creative. Things that are of no value except to entertain you make a very small contribution to your well-being....
Be on time....
Keep your word....
Do the most difficult tasks first....
http://makeashorterlink.com/?G5EA22869
DISCIPLINE
YOURSELF FOR THE PURPOSE OF GODLINESS
by Don Whitney
No one coasts into Christlikeness. Any progress
in godliness requires a Spirit-filled effort and purpose. But the
Christian spiritual disciplines, rightly practiced, can bring some simplicity
and order to the process of becoming more like Jesus. Where do you need to
"discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness"? Read
this article at
http://www.pastors.com/rwmt/default.asp?id=170&artid=7246&expand=1
"TAKE ME
OUT TO THE BALLPARK..."
October 5 - Major League Baseball Division Series begins
THE SECRETS OF SUPERCENTENARIANS
More than 60,000 people in the United States are more than
100 years old. Researchers are now turning to a select group of
centenarians: those who have exceeded 110 years. Listen to this NPR
report at
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4054195
VERSE TO PONDER
"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield." Psalm 33:20 (NIV)
CONSIDER
"Second only to suffering, waiting may be the greatest teacher and trainer in godliness, maturity, and genuine spirituality most of us ever encounter." Richard Hendrix
WIND OF
TERROR, WIND OF GLORY
We cannot know God's majesty without his terrible holiness.
by Daniel Tomberlin
Our spirituality encourages us to proclaim our victories, but we lament in silence. We have room for a God who is active in our affairs. We even have room for a Satan who is active in our affairs. But we have little or no room for a God who seems indifferent to our suffering. Certainly, we have no room for a God who moves to afflict. But the Scriptures give us such a testimony...
As Spirit-filled believers, we must make room in our theology for a God who is utterly free from our sentimental caricatures. We must make room in our spirituality for profound lament. We should recognize that true victory does not come without intense struggle. We must give room for the Spirit of God to blow mightily through our lives and through our churches. In doing so, we may find ourselves wounded, but whole, and, prayerfully, holy.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/010/19.90.html
THAT PRIME TIME
RELIGION
The girl-meets-God television series "Joan of Arcadia," has begun a new season, making it the sole survivor of last year's rash of metaphysical concept shows. But Joan won't have God to herself. The success of the Left Behind novels and "The Passion" at the movies has spawned imitation on the small screen, including NBC's new miniseries "Revelations" and a series on ABC produced by Mel Gibson himself. God, the recurring character, however, is not always the one we recognize from holy books or worship services. Beliefnet.com gathered three experts on religion and the media to discuss where the spiritual TV trend began, how faithful viewers watch, and whether television religion is really religion at all.
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/152/story_15268_1.html
DILBERT'S ULTIMATE
HOUSE
Dilbert's Ultimate House (DUH) is the product of the combined wisdom of thousands of Dilbert readers, plus the help of real world experts, and it's online for viewing at. It looks so real that you won't believe it's a computer model. The house combines the world's best ideas for energy efficiency, convenience, green building, and entertaining.
Are you tired of tripping over the cat's litter box in your bathroom? Dilbert's house has its own bathroom just for the cat. Do you hate dragging a Christmas tree into the house every December just to throw it away in January? Dilbert's house has a huge closet off of the Great Room where he stores a fully decorated artificial tree on wheels. He just rolls it out and plugs it in.
We assumed Dilbert would eventually have a wife and kids. (Yeah, it's a stretch.) Anyway, the kids' bathroom is fully tiled with a drain in the center. Just spray some chemicals to kill the cooties and hose it all down.
He's got a dining room table that doubles as a pool table
when you remove the top, artificial turf for a lawn, a killer wiring plan, home
theater, phenomenal energy efficiency features and lots of other fun
stuff. You'll wish you were made out of digital bits so you could
live there.
TWO VIEWS ON HALLOWEEN
Halloween is a sinister day with occultic roots.
http://www.creatingfutures.net/halloween.html
Why Christians should embrace the "devilish"
holiday with gusto -- and laughter.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/011/29.79.html
FACES OF JESUS
Christians have been making images of Jesus since the early
centuries of the church. Visit this website to look at pictures of
the face of Christ - some of them centuries old, some of them from
today. Each picture of Jesus includes a commentary on what the image
is about, plus a piece of writing, a poem or prayer written at the time when
the image was made, or following the theme of the image.
http://www.rejesus.co.uk/expressions/faces_jesus/index.html
VERSE TO PONDER
"One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty." Proverbs 11:24 (NIV)
CONSIDER
"The world says, The more you take, the more you have. Christ says, the more you give, the more you are." Frederick Buechner
HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
by Ron Blue
One of the most successful businessmen I know had prospered beyond his wildest dreams. After hearing me pose the question, "How much is enough?" he examined his finances and lifestyle. With a business worth tens of millions of dollars, he had accumulated far more than he needed. He came to me with a simple question: "Should I sell my business?" Surprisingly though, during our financial counseling session, I advised him not to sell the "chicken" (his business). Instead, I said, he needed to make sure the chicken was healthy so he could give away the eggs.
In working out a plan to accomplish that, he set two primary goals. The first was to pay off all business and personal debt. Though he owed millions of dollars, he had been able to easily afford to service the debt through cash flow. But he decided that much debt wasn't healthy. This was a courageous decision, because at the time it ran contrary to his competitors' actions. Everyone else flocked to the bank, borrowing all they could to take advantage of hot deals on the market....
Read the rest of this article at
http://www.newmanmag.com/article.php?sid=556&mode=thread&order=0
THIS WEEK'S HYMN: O
LORD, LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN
Words: Martin Luther, 1523
Music: 1524
O Lord, look down from Heaven, behold
And let Thy pity waken:
How few are we within Thy fold,
Thy saints by men forsaken!
True faith seems quenched on every hand,
Men suffer not Thy Word to stand;
Dark times have us o'ertaken.
With fraud which they themselves invent
Thy truth they have confounded;
Their hearts are not with one consent
On Thy pure doctrine grounded.
While they parade with outward show,
They lead the people to and fro,
In error's maze astounded.
May God root out all heresy
And of false teachers rid us
Who proudly say: "Now, where is he
That shall our speech forbid us?
By right or might we shall prevail;
What we determine cannot fail;
We own no lord and master."
Therefore saith God, "I must arise,
The poor My help are needing;
To Me ascend My people's cries,
And I have heard their pleading.
For them My saving Word shall fight
And fearlessly and sharply smite,
The poor with might defending."
As silver tried by fire is pure
From all adulteration,
So through God's Word shall men endure
Each trial and temptation.
Its light beams brighter through the cross,
And, purified from human dross,
It shines through every nation.
Thy truth defend, O God, and stay
This evil generation;
And from the error of their way
Keep Thine own congregation.
The wicked everywhere abound
And would Thy little flock confound;
But Thou art our Salvation.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/l/l/olldfhvn.htm
ON PRAYER
"If we would pray aright, the first thing we should do is to see to it that we really get an audience with God, that we really get into His very presence. Before a word of petition is offered, we should have the definite consciousness that we are talking to God, and should believe that He is listening and is going to grant the thing that we ask of Him." Dr. R. A. Torrey
A PRAYER
"Creator God, your word says, "As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person." You have created us so that our heart -- our passion -- our zeal-reveals who we really are. You want us to love you with all our heart, and to serve you with all our heart. You have designed each of us with distinct interests and desires-may we turn them toward you. You have instilled unique motivations in us for your good purpose – may we recognize that and honor you with our efforts. Help us to see clearly what you gave us a heart to do and help us to do it for your glory. May our hearts be steadfast, inclined to fear you, to keep your commands. And as your word says, above all else, may we guard our heart, for it is the wellspring of life. In Christ's name, amen."
CRITICAL PRAYER
REQUESTS FOR STRATEGIC NATIONS
We're praying for our fellow believers in a different nation each week.
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rs.html
The Church in Russia has suffered the most severe and sustained
persecution of any nation in recent history. All deaths in the
gulags (prison camps) between 1920 and 1990 are reckoned at 20 million; a
further 16 million perished en route to them – many were Christian. It is
reckoned 200,000 Christian leaders were martyred and a further 500,000
imprisoned. There were 100,000 church-owned buildings in 1920
(mainly Orthodox); by 1940 only 1,000 were in use by Christians, the rest being
seized or destroyed. Structures and ministries were emasculated or
manipulated, leadership cowed into compliance and compromise, Christians
discriminated against, their children harassed and denied educational
opportunities, and millions consigned to years of imprisonment, exile or
psychiatric 'treatment'. Give thanks to God for His protection and for enabling
His Church to survive, grow and triumph in the end. Praise God also
for many agencies in the West who did so much to maintain links between the
persecuted Church and Christians in the free world, and to provide Bibles, literature
and practical help. Of special mention: UBS, Open Doors, Light in the East
(Germany), SGA and Keston Institute in England, Swedish Slavic Mission, Bibles
to All (Sweden) and Avainsanoma (Finland).
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. Anton Johnson
* Pastor Leonard Royster
* Bro. Warren Baudy
* Bro. Darnell Kennedy
* Bro. Fred Simms
* Minister Aaron Royster, Jr.
* Bro. Arthur Carr
* Bro. Travis Collins
* Bro. Carl Modica
[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.
http://www.madville.com/link.php?id=76187&t=2
http://www.colorstudy.com/scramble/
http://campjinx.pictureshowfilms.com/bls/leonard/im_fight.html
Backyard wildlife
http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/
Prayer Warriors Homepage
http://www.churchofthesimplefaith.org/DomainForwarding/PrayerWarriors/Prayer%20Warriors.htm
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.)
Wouldn't it be nice if whenever we messed up our life we could simply press 'Ctrl-Alt-Delete' and start all over? God's grace is kinda like that!
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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 Joy Divine Full Gospel Church is located at 7625 S.
Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60620.
Tel: 773-224-5683. Founded & Pastored by Apostle
Aaron L. Royster & Prophetess Mable L. Royster.
Visit our website at: www.newjoydivine.org
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