What a challenge it is being back in the States after being gone for over 2 1/2 years. So much has changed in regards to technology and I have been overwhelmed by it and am trying to resist it. I had also forgotten how fast paced everything is here and it is a shock to my system.
What has not changed is the message God has placed on my heart for men everywhere I go. In fact if anything it has become and even more urgent message. The message is for men of God, around the world, to get into the the worldwide battle that is going on all around us.
Last Sunday I had the honor and the privilege to share this message at Moreno Christian Assembly during their evening service. When I asked the pastor how much time I had to share he said that there was no limit. I am used to having five minutes to try to share what God is doing in Africa through us, so to get told I can talk as long as I like is wonderful!
I will try to summarized what I shared. The message title is "Get Into the Battle" and I shared how the men of God have not fufilled their roles and that we need to get off our butts and get into the battle. God spoke to Ezekiel and told him in Ezekiel 3:17-21 that we are to be watchmen. A watchmen, for those who do not know what that is, is the man who stands on the wall and is on watch to warn the people of danger and to sound the alarm when there is trouble.
Today men around the world have gotten off the wall and are failing miserablely in their God-given roles as Christians to be watchmen. We need to get back up on the wall. Today it is not a literal wall it is a figurative wall. We need to be watching out for each other, for our wives, our children, friends, brothers, sisters, neighbors, coworkers, community, those in leadership above us, etc... The list goes on and on but the point is we -- as men -- have to be watching out for those God places in our path.
The consequence for not fulfilling our role as watchmen is that we have the blood of those we do not look out for on our hands. I know God spoke it to Ezekiel and it was a message for Isreal but I believe that it is also meant for us today. We men are called by God to watch out for and to speak to those He brings accross our path. We need to stop being afraid of what people will think or say. We need to be courageous and trust in Him. We will stand in judgement before God not man. We need to get into the battle or the enemy will continue to win battle after battle.
Satan will not win the war but he is winning battles he should not be winning -- because we have become to passive and afraid. Look at the morale decline of our country, the high rate of divorce, abuse of every kind, drugs, leaders not following after God, children with no Godly role models. The list goes on and on and it is our fault because we, as men, have become wimps and have let Satan have free reign to do as he pleases.
I know that I want to be able to hold my head up high when I meet Jesus because I fulfilled the mission He gave to me. I want to hear "well done" when I have finished my race. I want to stand there without the blood of my brothers and sisters on my hands.
As I finish I want to remind the men of God that you have blood on your hands if you are not doing what God has commanded you to do. I leave you with this verse to pray for yourself and for other men. Ephesians 6:19 "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the gospel," The key is prayer, that is where our true power comes from.
1 comment:
Great message Tony!
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