Men Of Action: Small Groups

I love to read books about World War II, especially one’s dealing with acts of heroism, courage and life or death situations..

I just finished reading about the Bataan Death March and the imprisonment of over 60,000 soldiers, pilots, foreign dignitaries and Philippine Nationals. The place they were imprisoned was only meant to hold 25,000 troops. What this meant is there wasn’t enough food, medicine or beds for all the prisoners.

Reading this book, even though it was on a secular level strengthened an aspect that God designed. Although most of the POW’s had little faith and hope was a dream, these men demonstrated a simple principle of God.

To survive they formed small groups!

These groups, made up of 4 or 5 men had different assignments to help them survive this ordeal. Members of these small groups were assigned food gathering duties; and looking after each other in health and emotional well being. Now I can go into great detail what this involved, but for stomach upset avoidance, I won’t get into details. Let’s just say, the things they had to resort to would make a rat sick (they ate those too!).

My point is, Small Groups are a survival practice that all Men of Action should partake in. Think about it, do you meet the guys for a game of Golf? Bowling? A beer? For Coffee? Well, whether you realize it or not, this is small group principle. No matter what you talk about.

God set this up!

The results of groups may vary but this social gathering of people, strengthens individuals. Margaret Mead is quoted in saying; “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” If you don’t know, research what she accomplished.

God said it before Margaret did though.

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

Think about what a small group of committed Men and Woman of God can do?

Heb. 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Love this verse!

1). Small Groups provide a safe place to find answers to your spiritual questions.

It’s a great place for you to air your doubts and misgivings and wonderings about the Bible or about Christianity, and for the group to help you discover answers along the way.

2). Small Groups provide a place for you to be used by God to help meet others’ needs.

In a small group there will be a chance for people to share prayer requests and needs that they have. During this time every person in the group has the joyful opportunity to become part of the solution for that person who shares.

Perhaps their problem is something you have faced before and you can share what you learned. Perhaps you can simply pray for them and then keep praying for them and encouraging them throughout the week. Maybe you can even provide a service to that person that will actually take care of their need.

3). Small Groups provide a place for you to have your needs met by people who care.

Sometimes we all need some help getting out of something we’ve gotten ourselves into.

That’s what small group are all about!

Are you in a Christian based life changing group?

You should be!

God's Man!

Continuing my series on Men of Action, this week we’ll talk about the Man’s man…that is God’s Man!

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

This is the beginning of the kind of man God has already made. Fearless, strong, loving and sound men… gets your testosterone going doesn’t it! Hey, God said it not me. Well, not the testosterone part.

Get ready; I am going to throw down some serious scripture here! I can tell you all day to love God, but he does a better job at it, that is, in the showing and telling!

So, how do we become fearless?

As faith and love increases, fear decreases.

See, there was this boat (sounds good, huh!) and Jesus was taking a siesta. Well, the disciples were freaking out over this storm. So they woke Jesus (What Love! I would have been a little upset if someone woke me from my nap.)

In Math 8:26 Jesus says; “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Little faith, lots of fear…see the connection?

Fear shows lack of faith and perfect love, The love of God, casts out fear.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
So how do we love?

1 John 4:10–11 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 Thessalonians 4:9–10 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia.

John 13:34–35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

As we allow ourselves to be moved by God's love for us, we will grow in our love for others.

So how do we become strong?

1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Ephesians 6:10–17 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
As we grow in truth, righteousness, faith, and prayer, God's Son and His Spirit will provide what we need to be strong in the service of the Lord.

And finally, how do we maintain a sound mind?

The Greek word is sophronismos – an admonishing or calling
to soundness of mind, to moderation and self-control; self-
control, moderation

This shows one of sober mind; a man of prudence and discretion. The is referring to that in the mind is well balanced, and under right influences; in which it sees things in their just proportions and relations; in which it is not feverish and excited, but when everything is in its proper place.

It depicts one who is stable and self-controlled in both life and doctrine

Titus 2:2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;

Matthew 7:24–25 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; \

Romans 8:5–6 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.


Galatians 5:22–23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

These qualities are not limited to just the make gender by the way. These virtues are within woman as well. We must exemplify and then teach them to others as well

We may not start the Christian life with these aspects; new Christians often have Cowardice, Weakness, Hatred, Instability, God is willing to "give us" courage, strength, love, and stability. Are we willing to submit to His workmanship in our lives...?

Are we willing to be Gods Man?

Behind every man…

I recently started a group on Facebook called ‘Men of Action'. This group is following my desire to reach more men and energize others. From this point forward, most of my blogs will be pointed towards the heart of men in action.

This week, since Mothers Day is approaching, I decided to write about woman and how a man of Action should act towards not just Mom’s but all women. My inside job for this week is praise the great woman that God has given us.


I was walking along Clearwater beach and stumbled across an old lamp. I picked it up, rubbed it - and out popped a genie. The genie said, “Ok. You released me from the lamp.. blah, blah, blah. This is the 4th time this month and I’m getting a little sick of these wishes, so forget about 3. You only get one wish.”

I put a lot of thought in this and finally came up with, “I always wanted to go to the moon but I am scared of rockets and flying! Could you build me a elevator to the moon?”

The Genie looked at me and said, “Dude, you realize how labor intensive that would be? First I would have to build a structure that moved with the moon and then place a elevator in there. Do you realize the work involved and the principles of nature I’d have to break. No, pick another wish!”

So I said, “Ok, well I have been married a few times and divorced as well. I really would like to understand woman much better. I wish that you could give me understanding when it came to woman!”

The Genie sighed, “How many passengers would you like in the elevator?”

Granted, we don’t fully understand these lovely ladies but that shouldn’t keep us from loving, respecting, honoring and praising them. You want to know how to praise that special lady in your life?

Trust me on this, read Proverbs31: 10-31. It’s all about how to praise that special lady in your life. You need to read it but here is a short breakdown:.

v. 11 - “The heart of her husband trusts in her.”
Woman (especially Mom’s) has a 6th sense. How many times have you said, “Honey, can you...” and she just waits for you to finish and says, “I already took care of it.” She does that because she is trustworthy / dependable.
Trust is vital to a good relationship!

v. 12 - “She does him good.. all the days of her life.”
Women have that unique way of telling their husbands, friends and their children exactly what they both need to hear, and want to hear. Indeed, they build us up and do us good.
Moms are the only people in the world who could watch their husband or their kid’s mess something up terribly and still smile and say, “But you sure looked good anyway.”

Good COMPANIONSHIP is worthy of praise.

v. 13 - “She works with her hands.”
When’s the last time you thanked your wife or your mother because she sewed a button on your shirt, mended a torn pair of pants, cooked you dinner, or earned some additional income for the family? Verse 27 says, “She does not eat the bread of idleness.” Guys, it reminds us that we’re not the only ones working. In fact, I say without any reservation:

Praise the HARD WORKING woman who goes the extra mile.

v. 15 says, “She rises also while it is still night.” v. 27 says, “She looks well to the ways of her household.”
Oh, how thankful you should be for the wife who gets up in the middle of the night to care for the crying child. And I’m not just talking about newborns.
I’m talking about those nights when a child wakes up sick, and you don’t even know about it until the next morning. But Mom did. Her ears were tuned in to her child while you were sleeping the night away.

You can probably testify, it’s praiseworthy to have a Mom who is always CARING for the family.

v. 20 says, “She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.”
If the woman in your house is COMPASSIONATE, you should feel doubly blessed. What a great quality that blesses everyone.

v. 21 says, “She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.”
Mom is always prepared. Just look at some of those purses they carry around!
Praise the woman is always PREPARED when no one else seems to be.

v. 22 says, “She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.”
Women go to great lengths to look good for you. When she does, you better pay attention and let her know you noticed.
Everyone should compliment Mom when she makes herself (er…. which is all the time, right!) ATTRACTIVE.

v. 23 says, “Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.”
Hey, if your wife makes you look good .. if she gives you a good reputation .. you ought to bow down and kiss her feet. Okay, so maybe that’s a stretch but I hope you get my point!

Praise be to the wife you makes you look good. Who causes you to have an outstanding REPUTATION.

v. 25 says, “she smiles at the future.”
Men, give praise to your wife if she’s OPTIMISTIC... looking ahead with pleasure. She just makes your life so much more pleasing.

v. 26 says, “the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Men, be thankful if your wife teaches kindness to your kids. She surely makes up for the rough edges you have (and you know what I mean).
A good woman seems to have PLEASANT WORDS for everyone. Why don’t you return her love and speak pleasant

v. 30 says, “a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”
Love her, praise her, for her DEDICATION in helping build a Christian home.

Guess what…“Flowers leave their fragrance on the hand that bestows them.”

Women love to receive flowers. That’s because they attach meaning to them. Why else would a Mom be so happy to receive a handful of dandelions from her child? She realizes what the flowers symbolize.
Women need to hear our praises - and we need to give them. As the proverb says, the hand that gives the flowers also receives a blessing.