Welcome to the Mighty Men Training Institute

  One day in Jerusalem, the temple of God was being used for purposes that had nothing to do with God. Moneychangers and animal merchants were doing their business.

Then God's son walked in and noticed all this sinful activity. I get the impression he decided what to do at an instant. He took one look and said, "it's on now." In no time, he made a whip and started taking care of business.

We are temples as well, created by God and for God. But we also have an enemy who wants access to the temple. He says, "let me in and I'll give you a little something. I'll make it worth your while."

When this happens, it will get the attention of Jesus.

When we stray, there are times when he'll come after us and tenderly scoop us up.

But be clear: Jesus uses an incredible variety of ways to reach people. He comes at us from angles that no one else can. If your conception of Jesus is only that of a buddy or the man who will whisper sweet nothings in your ear, then you have painted a picture of a tiny harmless Jesus.

The real Jesus is capable of making a whip. And of using it.

Ever wonder what happened in the temple in the days after Jesus cleared the place out? Did it return to business as usual? Did the vendors set the tables back up and leave instructions not to let the crazy fool with the whip in again?

Now think of a persistent sin in your life. Jesus sees that sin. And he knows that persistent sin requires persistent whuppin'.

When you're under enemy attack, it may help to visualize a direct encounter between Jesus and Satan. Jesus swings the whip, Satan cringes, Jesus advances. Satan, as is his habit, runs from the scene but not totally out of the picture. He's off in the distance but still in sight. He starts to turn back toward you.

Then Jesus raises the whip again and says, "I've got more her for you if you want it!"

The enemy won't run away unless he's forced to. And no one can do the job like the man with the whip. He's got your back. All you have to do is invite him into the temple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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My Thursday morning Bible stud brothers and I were at the front counter paying for our meals when we witnessed a bit of unexpected drama.

Our waitress Debbie was trying to get the room ready for the normal rush of group meetings. Another party of three people came in to do business - a man in a white shirt and tie with a gigantic pile of papers under his arm (probably the boss) and his two female colleagues. Another waitress was about to seat the threesome when Debbie asked her colleague to move them to a table farther back.

At that point, the man marched up to the cash register, his pile of papers in as much disarray as his emotions, "Well, I guess we're not wanted here!" he huffed, and stormed out the door, with his embarrassed colleagues right behind him.

This fellow didn't know our waitress like we do. He didn't know Debbie's generous serving heart. He also did not consider that she had to think about the needs of every customer in the place. His attitude was, "how dare this peon tell me where to sit? Doesn't she know I'm an important man?" 

I couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing. I thought I could actually see the letters J-E-R-K appear on his forehead.

Two seconds later, under some spiritual discomfort, I removed the beam from my own eye.

I wish I could say I'd never acted like a spoiled child in public when my carefully laid-out plans were foiled. But it wouldn't be true.

How do we react when we don't get our way? How can we train ourselves not to let our anger fly out of our mouths in a flash? It takes practice and a growing awareness that God's carefully laid-out plans, not ours, are what matter. We also need to try and put ourselves in the shoes of the other person. If you worked in retail job or a position serving the public, you're already in that position.

We represent Jesus Christ, and we should be constantly aware that all those people we come in contact with during the day, even the difficult people, are the same folks he died for.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

 

 

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  Last fall, when the economy began to take a nap, the government decided to rouse it from its slumber by a set of packages known as "stimulus." Under this theory, the government infuses huge amounts of money into the economy. Unlike the bailout, which was a rescue package designed to prevent the demise of certain parts of the economy, a stimulus is designed to wake the economy up and get it moving again.

Christ-followers already have their bailout in the saving blood of Jesus Christ. We screamed to God, "Save us!" And He did,

Do we also have a stimulus? I say we do: the Holy Spirit indwelling. The Spirit helps get us out of bed each day, guides and directs our steps, helps us make the best decisions and gives us discernment.

There are plenty of other alternative addictive stimuli out there, which act to dull the senses. But the Spirit stimulates all our senses. We're awake, alive and able to drink in every drop of the abundant life Christ promises us. We have POWER in the Holy Spirit. We don't want to be under anesthesia. We don't want to deaden our senses because we may miss something God has for us.

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  As our economy continues to deteriorate, the federal government has responded with a series of measures commonly known as "bailout." States, cities, industries, companies, families and individuals are looking for a source of rescue. Will the government save us? What about the lottery? A get-rich-quick scheme?

Perhaps we don't need any help at all. We can bail ourselves out. We can just roll up our sleeves, work double hard, and be smart enough to dig ourselves out of the pit. 

There's a huge problem with all these scenarios. They leave out the most important player in the drama.

David knew better. "Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God." (Psalms 20:7)

Paul knew better. "Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom. 7:24­25)

The various government bailout plans cover thousands of printed pages. But Jesus presents his bailout plan in one sentence: "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment but has passed from death to life." (John 5:24­-25).

As followers of Jesus Christ, we have already been bailed out in the most profound way imaginable. Our sins are forgiven. Our eternal destiny is settled. This is why we can press steadily forward, keeping our faith in the midst of economic strife -- and why we have to tell others about the greatest bailout plan of all.

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The road is wide to those who look to the world,

The path is narrow for those who seek the light,

As a beam of light passes through a hole, So is the path a man must take.

 

The light of God can not get through a hardend soul,

But a broken man will see the light.

 

Darkness is a place a man can hide ,

But the light will show him a way out.

 

Even a small light can make the dark places come too be seen.

 

If a man opens the eyes of his heart,The light will come in and he will see.

 

If a man follows the light he will be sure not to stumble,

But if he walks in darkness he will be  sure to fall.

 

Light dose not bend, Neather dose a man that walks in it.

 

The darkness of a mans heart will be exposed to the light.

 

A man walking in sin is like a man walking with eyes closed.

 

Dark is Dark, Light is Light, A man cant walk in both.

 

Bondage is found in the darkness,

But freedom is found in the light.

 

Thank GOD fore his LIGHT

W Punt

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