Mentoring Men for the Master

OBSOLETE – MARRIAGE?

The latest word on the state of marriage in America, dated November 18, 2010, is alarming: “Thirty nine percent of Americans say that Marriage is becoming OBSOLETE.”  (Pew Research Center).  The report continues “As families gather for Thanksgiving this year, nearly one in three American children is living with a parent who is divorced, separated, or never married.  More people are accepting the view that wedding bells aren’t to have a family.”

How is this ALARMING TRUTH relevant to MMM?  Simply this:  One of the primary purposes of MMM, Int’l. is to restore marriage to its sacred Scriptural place in the lives of men.  What, then, is our approach to achieve this?  The answer is simple:  Teach, encourage, and hold men responsible for obeying God’s rules which make marriage the happiest and holiest estate a man can know on this earth.  We spend about two months on this emphasis each year.

What Are The Specific Things  A  Man Must Do?  He must obey the 4 S’s: 

  1. Be Sure You Are SAVED From Your Sins – Matthew 1:21; 1 John 3:9; Titus 2:11-14; John 8:31-32. How?
    1. Read the Tract on Eternal Life.  Meet with Billy Williams, Thad, BB and DM’s.
    2. Evidences of Eternal Life – 1 John 2:2-3, 15, 19; 3:9; 3:14; 4: 13; 5:11-13 
  1. BE BEING SATURATED with the Word (Internalization) – Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; James 1:19-25; John 8:31-32. How?  Obey our Pledge to the Bible
    1. Note results of Saturation: Ephesians 5:25; 1 Peter 5:25; 1 Peter 3:7. 
  1. BE BEING SURRENDERED TO PRAYER – Jeremiah 33:3; Jeremiah 29:13; Mark 11:24; James 5:16b
  2. “10 Enemies of Prayer:
    1. Praying for the wrong reasons – James 4:3.
    2. Praying while hanging onto sins – Psalm 66:18.
    3. Praying when you have had a closed Bible – Proverbs 28:9.
    4. Praying but not believing God will answer – James 1:6-7.
    5. Praying with God not being number one- Ezek. 14:3.
    6. Praying with hypocrisy – Matthew 6:5.
    7. Praying with an unforgiving spirit – Mark 11:25.
    8. Praying while there is conflict in your marriage – 1 Peter 3:1-7.
    9. Praying without being a Christian – Ephesians 2:12 TLB.
    10. Prayers that never get offered – James 4:2.”[1]
  3. 10 Ways to Make Prayer A Habit:
  4. Choose to pray: don’t wait until you feel like it.
  5. Make prayer a part of your entire day, not just a set time.
  6. Pray Scripture back to God. Example: Names of God
  7. Decide never to make a major decision without praying about it first.
  8. Pray before leaving your home in the morning.
  9. Pray before driving – Psalm 121:8.
  10. Pray before eating – 1 Timothy 4:4-5.
  11. Confess sin immediately.
  12. Try different positions for prayer – standing, sitting, kneeling, on your face.
  13. Keep it simple.
  14. Never give up. Keep on praying.
  15. Expect answers.”[2] – Mark 11:24
    1. 7 Definite Steps:
      1. “A Special Time.
      2. Sufficient Time.
      3. A Special Place.
      4. A Special Plan.
      5. A Special Book
      6. A Special Spirit.
      7. A Special Hunger for God”[3]
  16. BE BEING SPIRIT FILLED – Ephesians 5:18ff  and 3:16 – note that when you are filled with the Spirit and Filled with the Word, you get the same results.

Simple Conclusion:  To be Spirit Filled is to obey the 4 steps involved in Internalizing the Word:

  1. I will know it in my head – by diligent study.
  2. I will stow it in my heart by memorization and meditation.
  3. I will show it in my life by obeying its teaching.
  4. I will share it in my world by my witness.

 

 

[2] Ibid, pp. 23-24.

[3] Bill Bennett, 10 Absolute Life Changers, pp. 46-48.