MANTOMAN

Ground Rules

The Top Five Bible Verses for Men

by Scott Caesar

Scores of great men have been moved from sinner to saint by a single verse of scripture. Countless promises from the Bible secure us in God’s love, grace and His offer of the abundant life both here on earth and our eternal address.

What about you? You’re locked in God’s love. Your reservation for eternity is confirmed. How’s the abundant life part going? The peace, joy and direction you tell everyone about? You believe what the Bible says about these promises, or do you?

Can we talk?

What verse of scripture do you own? One that you believe so strongly that you would risk your life on. One that is engraved on your heart. That every time you think it and say it, the very presence of God comes over you. Its one that sets the ground rules a man needs to play by to usher in the life God calls successful.

How’s a guy supposed to play any game no less this game called life without knowing the ground rules? Last month we explored “The Five Most Important Bible Verses for Men” as Jesus Himself laid out the first of these five ground rules in John 10:10. Hopefully you received a new set of night vision goggles to see things that formerly were hidden from you.

Are you just renting a scriptural apartment or are you an owner?

There are three effects that your own estate of scripture should have on you:

1. It should Answer the questions in your Head
2. It should Astound the motives of your Heart
3. It should Assist the works of your Hands

Your Private Property here will answer the three abundant life questions every man needs to know.
1. Who am I?
2. Why do I exist
3. What am I to do?

Men today are torn between two masters. They are caught in our society between mythical manhood on one side and Biblically mature manhood on the other. Many serve God while whining about not knowing God’s will. Our Father has made it very clear how to find His will concerning our circumstances.

We find this answer in our second of five ground rule verses as we take an intimate look at Paul’s attempt to engage the church of Rome to “think like Jesus did.”

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 MKJV

Wow! Think about this. God speaks, Paul writes, almost like an 11th Commandment:

1. What not to do; (don’t think like, act like, nor find your identity in this culture like you used to).

2. What to do; (change the way you think and see life through a new Biblical set of lenses).

3. How to do it; (constant renovation of your thinking by reading and hearing His word, associating with Christ-minded believers and prayer). Last but not least,

4. Why to do it; (to find out what God wants you to do, His will).

What would your life look like if each day you felt guided and directed? Each day a peaceful and gentle voice impressed you to;”walk this way, say that, go here, or watch out”. This incredible power allows a man to lead without confusion, knowing his Father is with him in all areas of his life as discernment now calls for respect of his wife, children and sphere of influence.

In our third of The Top Five Bible Verses for Men we catch infectious encouragement from Teacher to Student, Mentor to Protégé as a concerned Paul instructs his young Pastor Timothy how to overcome fears that have consumed his mind.

“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear dominates. It questions. It torments. It paralyzes and creates a fog that you can not think your way out of. What anxieties, worries and concerns dominate your thoughts, actions and life? They hold you back from better marriage, finances, and the abundant life.

Fear dominated my life till I bought and owned this verse for myself. How to overcome fear through His word? Let us not so much focus on what fear is, but simply know that the Apostle calls it a spirit, not of God. We will now then engage the three spirits that God himself sends for you to use to overcome fear.

“The Spirit of Power” First a man has to receive the permission (ability & authority) that this God-given spirit is designed to give. If you were to walk to the middle of Fifth Avenue in NYC and stick your hand out to stop the onrushing cars there is a better than not chance you would experience a pre-mature rapture. But if you put on an authentic NYC policeman’s uniform the cars would stop due to the authoritative power of the uniform you chose to put on. You now have the ability to stop those cars!

Men we need to know that we have ability given by the Holy Spirit to first trust in His desire for good in our lives. Then we are given permission to use the authority by speaking and doing the Word to overcome the identified fear. Stop looking for what you already possess.

The Spirit of Love allows us to apply “agape styled” thinking to the fear. In other words, take your eyes off yourself and put them on what God and others may want. Being released from the tyranny of always having it your way loosens fear’s grip. (Sorry Burger King fans). If you want to see fear flee, firmly focus on others needs above your own.

The Spirit of a Sound Mind may read “self control or self discipline” in different versions. Brother Rick Renner wonderfully calls this “Saved Brains.” This spirit’s fruit in a man allows him to be: 1-Sensitive to the voice of God (listen & watch) 2-Submissive to his precepts (Rules of the Ruler). 3-Surrendered to His will (forsaking the results).

As a man matures in each of these three, spiritual flabbiness will decrease as his ability to do battle with the spirit of fear increases.

Owning these two scriptures will allow a man to level the playing field in this battle for his soul. His pursuit of Godliness with contentment is now in site. The promises of scripture become real as faith intersects with life.

I would like to encourage you to pick one verse, just one verse that maybe you always knew was for you. One that made it to your mental starting line but always loses steam at the finish line of your heart on its way to this abundant life.

How about we make a deal? In the next month when you pray, read your Bible or do any type of devotional study, focus on one to two verses and its topical message only. Check out how five different versions of the Bible translate the verse as well. Read commentary and contextual background on it. Watch the difference! Membership has its privileges.

Man of God, are you worn from your firm grip on an empty sack? Putting the coins of cultural Christianity into pockets full of holes that only yield frustrated fruit instead of the abundant brand we are promised in scripture. Try God! Try becoming part of His elite team. Will you take the deal? If you do I will give you the Fourth and Fifth verses next month! Write me about your results brothers. Love you guys, Blessing and Honor, Scott

Scott Caesar, Head Coach of God4me Men’s Network, speaks to many men each year at business conferences, churches and his “Discipleship Boot Camps”, which equip men to be more effective leaders in their homes, churches and communities. Scott’s passionate calling is to assist men in their spiritual growth by replacing the lies of the world with the truth of Scripture. He stands in the gap with the Northeast Church as an advocate for Christian Men. Allying with the local Church, God4me Men’s Network holds Boot Camps: Men’s Discipleship Events to build men for Christ. Fall 2008 BOOT CAMPS are on Sept.27th in NJ, Oct. 4th in Queens, NY and Oct. 11th Long Island in NY. 2008. For locations & more information, email mantoman@God4me.com or call 631-753-1244 or log on to www.God4me.com/invasion.


NEWSFRONT FEATURES REGIONAL EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS TRI-STATE NEWS THE CLASSIFIEDS ABOUT US	FEATURES Ground Rules The Top Five Bible Verses for Men by Scott Caesar Scores of great men have been moved from sinner to saint by a single verse of scripture. Countless promises from the Bible secure us in God’s love, grace and His offer of the abundant life both here on earth and our eternal address. What about you? You’re locked in God’s love. Your reservation for eternity is confirmed. How’s the abundant life part going? The peace, joy and direction you tell everyone about? You believe what the Bible says about these promises, or do you? Can we talk? What verse of scripture do you own? One that you believe so strongly that you would risk your life on. One that is engraved on your heart. That every time you think it and say it, the very presence of God comes over you. Its one that sets the *ground rules* a man needs to play by to usher in the life God calls successful. How’s a guy supposed to play any game no less this game called life without knowing the ground rules? Last month we explored “The Five Most Important Bible Verses for Men” as Jesus Himself laid out the first of these five ground rules in John 10:10. Hopefully you received a new set of night vision goggles to see things that formerly were hidden from you. Are you just renting a scriptural apartment or are you an owner? There are three effects that your own estate of scripture should have on you: 1. It should Answer the questions in your *Head* 2. It should Astound the motives of your *Heart* 3. It should Assist the works of your Hands Your Private Property here will answer the three abundant life questions every man needs to know. 1. Who am I? 2. Why do I exist 3. What am I to do? Men today are torn between two masters. They are caught in our society between mythical manhood on one side and *Biblically mature manhood* on the other. Many serve God while whining about not knowing God’s will. Our Father has made it very clear how to find His will concerning our circumstances. We find this answer in our second of five *ground rule* verses as we take an intimate look at Paul’s attempt to engage the church of Rome to *“think like Jesus did.”* “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you* what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 MKJV* Wow! Think about this. God speaks, Paul writes, almost like an 11th Commandment: 1. What not to do; (don’t think like, act like, nor find your identity in this culture like you used to). 2. What to do; (change the way you think and see life through a new Biblical set of lenses). 3. How to do it; (constant renovation of your thinking by reading and hearing His word, associating with Christ-minded believers and prayer). Last but not least, 4. Why to do it; (to find out what God wants you to do, His will). What would your life look like if each day you felt guided and directed? Each day a peaceful and gentle voice impressed you to;”walk this way, say that, go here, or watch out”. This incredible power allows a man to lead without confusion, knowing his Father is with him in all areas of his life as discernment now calls for respect of his wife, children and sphere of influence. In our third of The Top Five Bible Verses for Men we catch infectious encouragement from Teacher to Student, Mentor to Protégé as a concerned Paul instructs his young Pastor Timothy how to overcome fears that have consumed his mind. “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. 2 Timothy 1:7 Fear dominates. It questions. It torments. It paralyzes and creates a fog that you can not think your way out of. What anxieties, worries and concerns dominate your thoughts, actions and life? They hold you back from better marriage, finances, and the abundant life. Fear dominated my life till I bought and owned this verse for myself. How to overcome fear through His word? Let us not so much focus on what fear is, but simply know that the Apostle calls it a spirit, not of God. We will now then engage the three spirits that God himself sends for you to use to overcome fear. “The Spirit of Power” First a man has to receive the permission (ability & authority) that this God-given spirit is designed to give. If you were to walk to the middle of Fifth Avenue in NYC and stick your hand out to stop the onrushing cars there is a better than not chance you would experience a pre-mature rapture. But if you put on an *authentic NYC policeman’s uniform the cars would stop due to the authoritative power of the uniform you chose to put on. You now have the ability to stop those cars!* Men we need to know that we have ability given by the Holy Spirit to first trust in His desire for good in our lives. Then we are given permission to use the authority by speaking and doing the Word to overcome the identified fear. Stop looking for what you already possess. The *Spirit of Love* allows us to apply *“agape styled”* thinking to the fear. In other words, take your eyes off yourself and put them on what God and others may want. Being released from the tyranny of always having it your way loosens fear’s grip. (Sorry Burger King fans). If you want to see fear flee, firmly focus on others needs above your own. The *Spirit of a Sound Mind* may read “self control or self discipline” in different versions. Brother Rick Renner wonderfully calls this *“Saved Brains.”* This spirit’s fruit in a man allows him to be: *1-Sensitive* to the voice of God (listen & watch) *2-Submissive* to his precepts (Rules of the Ruler). *3-Surrendered* to His will (forsaking the results). As a man matures in each of these three, spiritual flabbiness will decrease as his ability to do battle with the spirit of fear increases. Owning these two scriptures will allow a man to level the playing field in this battle for his soul. His pursuit of Godliness with contentment is now in site. The promises of scripture become real as faith intersects with life. I would like to encourage you to pick one verse, just one verse that maybe you always knew was for you. One that made it to your mental starting line but always loses steam at the finish line of your heart on its way to this abundant life. How about we make a deal? In the next month when you pray, read your Bible or do any type of devotional study, focus on one to two verses and its topical message only. Check out how five different versions of the Bible translate the verse as well. Read commentary and contextual background on it. Watch the difference! Membership has its privileges. Man of God, are you worn from your firm grip on an empty sack? Putting the coins of cultural Christianity into pockets full of holes that only yield frustrated fruit instead of the abundant brand we are promised in scripture. Try God! Try becoming part of His elite team. Will you take the deal? If you do I will give you the Fourth and Fifth verses next month! Write me about your results brothers. Love you guys, Blessing and Honor, Scott Scott Caesar, Head Coach of God4me Men’s Network, speaks to many men each year at business conferences, churches and his “Discipleship Boot Camps”, which equip men to be more effective leaders in their homes, churches and communities. Scott’s passionate calling is to assist men in their spiritual growth by replacing the lies of the world with the truth of Scripture. He stands in the gap with the Northeast Church as an advocate for Christian Men. Allying with the local Church, God4me Men’s Network holds Boot Camps: Men’s Discipleship Events to build men for Christ. Fall 2008 BOOT CAMPS are on Sept.27th in NJ, Oct. 4th in Queens, NY and Oct. 11th Long Island in NY. 2008. For locations & more information, email mantoman@God4me.com or call 631-753-1244 or log on to www.God4me.com/invasion. Home \| Regional Events \| Features \| The Classifieds \| About Us \| Commentary \| Community \| Links ©2007 The Love Express. All rights reserved. Serving the Christian Community for over 20 years.