CityLine Men — July 2022

CityLine Bible Church   -   July 1, 2022

Men’s Ministry Moment

What Are You Afraid Of?

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

As a kid growing up in my grandmother’s house, I always felt safe, secure, and loved. My brother and I were blessed to have a God fearing, family around us, that filled in the spaces left by our ‘Rolling Stone of a father.’ However, there was one exception: my grandmothers’ basement. It was dark, dank, damp, and filled with suspicious sounds and spiders the size of nickels, both of which scared my little brother and I more than we ever admitted. Even though our mother, Auntie Liz, and Grandma assured us that we had nothing to fear, every trip down that narrow stairway brought goosebumps, shivers, and dread. And, to make matters even more dire, the only bathroom in the house was, you guessed it, in the basement. It was a fear we had to face every single day. Even if those spiders were probably a lot smaller than we imagined, we still had to make that dreaded descent. We were neither ‘strong nor courageous,’ and we were definitely ‘terrified and dismayed.’

In our passage today, Joshua finds himself facing a truly formidable fear. He has been charged to pick up where Moses left off and lead the people of Israel across the Jordon and into the promised land. Even though The LORD has assured him that that he would never be ‘left nor forsaken,’ Joshua was afraid. It is at that pivotal point in history, that the LORD reminds Joshua of His commandment, to be ‘strong and courageous.’

So, the question facing us today men is this; ‘What are you afraid of?’ What fears, strongholds, besetting sins are holding you back, preventing you from living in the redemptive light of God’s mercy and grace? What fears are you willing to turn over to our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ?

There is no better time than right now, to leave behind the ‘company of cowards,’ and join the righteous ranks of the ‘Army of The Lord.’

Like the sounds and spiders in my grandmothers’ basement, ultimately, there was nothing to be afraid of. My grandma was right all along.

And it is impossible for our God to ever be anything but perfectly right.

Thanks for taking the time. Be well, stay safe, and may God bless and keep you.

To God be the glory,

Phillip VanLear

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July 10 | 7:30 pm

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Recommended Book

The Lost Art of Disciple Making by LeRoy Eims

LeRoy Eims revives the lost art of disciple making. He explains: – How the early church discipled new Christians – How to meet the basic needs of a growing Christian – How to spot and train potential workers – How to develop mature, godly leaders “True growth takes time and tears and love and patience,” Eims states. There is no instant maturity. This book examines the growth process in the life of a Christian and considers what nurture and guidance it takes to develop spiritually qualified workers in the church. This is a great book to use in your Community Groups.

Prayer Wall

• Pray for your pastors
• Pray for our next BetterMan Session 3
• Pray for our Men’s Conference on August 12 & 13