Men of God, Arise!

 Men of God, Arise! - By Nathele - twotug@embarqmail.com “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). God expects much of men, and from what I can observe, many men have shirked their duties. Many men don’t even want marriage. They don’t mind living with a woman but don’twant the responsibility of being a husband and don’t respect the woman enough to make a commitment to her. Shame on a woman who accepts this arrangement. It’s bad enough in the secular world, but it has no place in the Christian world. “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).. Scripture shows us that God has given men the responsibility of leadership in life. From Adam, who was created first and given God’s instructions to not eat the forbiddenfruit, and throughout the New Testament, we see that men fight the battles and lead the people. Women are also used to further God’s purposes. We can look at Deborah and see that God used her in a great way, but she didn’t act on her own. She was a prophetess and a judge in Israel. When it was time for battle, itwas Barak who led the battle, but he would only go if Deborah was with him. The battle was won, and Deborah sang a song of praise to the Lord. Deborah was happy to have served the Lord, but she never forgot she was a mother. “The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel” (Judges 5:7). Also, we can see that Esther was the only person who could approach the king, at great risk to her own life, and save the Jewish people from being killed. We need women whoare willing to stand strong for God, but we also need more men like Joshua, who led the Israelites in the battle to conquer the Promised Land and know that their strength is in God. His words to Israel should be heeded by men today. “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt;and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but asfor me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:14-15). Joshua is a good example of a man who rose to the task God set before him. Men of God, arise! Put away secular pursuits and all false gods and idols. Serve the King of kings. RISE UP, O MEN OF GOD! By William P. Merrill Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things; Give heart and soul and mind and strength To serve the King of kings. Sir, do you claim to be a Christian? Are you a man of God? By that, I’m asking, is there anything in your life that you put equal to or above God? Jesus said, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30). There are many things in everyday life that can stop you from putting Christ first. Sports is usually something men enjoy. That’s not a sin, but if watching sports becomesmore important than serving God, then you need to remember that you are a man of God, not a man of the NFL or the MLB or any other sports league that can take over your time. What about clubs and lodges? Is it easier for you to try to get others to join theLion’s Club than to give their life to Christ? That’s a problem. If it’s more important to memorize the rules of your club than it is to memorize and share Scripture, then you need to reevaluate your priorities. My father was a member of lodges, clubs, and civic organizations. He never missed a meeting. I don’t remember ever seeing him open the Bible, but he knew everything aboutthe organizations of which he was a member. Yet, he claimed to be a Christian. When I was a child, I didn’t think twice about that, but looking back, it bothers me. My husband was also concerned about this. Ron had a long talk with my father about Jesus andcame away with the feeling that my dad did know Jesus. It’s too bad the evidence of a Christ-filled life didn’t shine in my father. Man of God, don’t leave doubt in anyone’s mind as to your faith in God. Don’t leave any doubt in your own mind about your faith in God. Serve the King of kings openly andwith your whole heart, soul, and strength. Have done with lesser things. Rise up, O men of God! His kingdom tarries long; As faithful workmen, watch and pray And light the night of wrong. It has been 2,000 years since Jesus walked this earth. He said that the Kingdom of God was at hand. “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). One day soon, everyone will know it. It only seems to human understanding that it’s taking a long time for Scripture to be fulfilled. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come torepentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Men of God, rise up! Rise up and stand firm upon God’s truth. Because of your silence, public schools are a festering boil in society. Children can’t read or speak properEnglish or learn cursive handwriting but are taught that it’s acceptable to be a cat or a dog. Because of your silence, children are taught the lie of evolution instead of God’s truth. Because of your silence, your children are taught to accept that in spiteof biology, if a boy thinks he’s a girl, then he’s a girl, and that it’s OK for there to be two mothers in the household. What a wicked world! God won’t put up with it much longer, and His judgment will be devastating. Read about the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, and read Romans chapter 1 tounderstand how God feels about homosexuality. It’s time for men of God to start praying and stop this madness. “But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:23). The darkness of this world has no place in a Christian’s life. Jesus is the Light of the World, but Christians are allowing the dark light of Satan to lead. Men of God, arise! Rise up, O men of God! The church for you doth wait – Your strength unequal to the task, But Christ in you is great! Men of God, arise! Take up your rightful place in leadership. Women have an important place in God’s creation, but it’s the men whom God has given the task of leadership.This is seen throughout Scripture. You are the leaders in your family. You are the leaders in congregations. It is by Christ’s strength that you lead your children to a firm faith in Christ. It is by Christ’s strength that you can lead your wife to be a Godlywoman who doesn’t feel the need to usurp authority. Your marriage is a picture of Christ and His church. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25). You need to be a man of God who honors Christ in all you do. In that way, your wife will submit to your authority. That doesn’t mean that you rule with an iron fist but thatyou love her as Christ loves His church. Lift high the cross of Christ; Tread where His feet have trod; As brothers of the Son of man, Rise up, O men of God! “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour” (John 12:26). Keep your eyes and heart on the cross of Christ. Remember, Christ is no longer on the cross. All sin was nailed to the cross, and only His love held Jesus there. “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwritingof ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:14). Jesus was crucified. He bled and died on the cross. He was taken off the cross and sealed in a tomb. On the third day, He arose! The cross is empty, and the tomb is empty!Sin was forgiven, and death was conquered. Repent now and accept His sacrifice for sin. Rise up, O men of God! Let this truth guide your life, and let His truth always be upon your lips. Praise Him with all your heart, soul, and spirit. Have done with lesserthings. Men of God, arise! Don’t let the world and the sin found there hinder your walk with the Lord. Fight the spiritual battle by taking your place in the army of God. God bless you all, Nathele Graham twotug@embarqmail.com Recommended prophecy sites: www.raptureready.com www.prophecyupdate.com www.raptureforums.com All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed. If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).