Devotional: Taking the First Step to Becoming a
Mature Man of God
by Ray Reyes
Mature Man of God
by Ray Reyes
- April 7th, 2007
- Thanks to the Care Team for wonderful breakfast they made and setup for us. I hope you were able to attend
the NMIC Men's Ministry meeting this past weekend.
Iron Sharpens Iron Men's Conference
With Promise Keepers not having any nearby locations this year, Bill Dykstra has researched information on Iron
Sharpens Iron (www.ironsharpensiron.net). This is a one day Men's conference with an agenda of seminars you
can choose from to attend. There was an Albany site this year but it has already passed so we are targeting the
May 12th Boston conference at Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA. Included at this location are keynote speakers
Steve Farrar and Carey Casey. Some of the seminars include Effective Fathering - Getting off the Sidelines and
Into the Game!, How to develop a Powerful Prayer Life, Intentional Family Leadership, and Three Habits that
Hurt Men.
Preregistration costs for this seminar are $48 or $55 for standard registration. The plan is to leave Friday May
11th in the afternoon for the 6 hour drive, spend Friday night in a hotel ($40-$45/person based on double
occupancy), attend the conference on Saturday May 12th from 7:30am-5pm and drive back to Rochester
arriving around 10:30pm. The Men's Ministry should be able to cover the transportation costs (gas, tolls). So the
total cost is about $100. Anyone interested, please contact Bill Dykstra (William_Dykstra@websterschools.org)
by April 22 for more details. Ideally we would like 4-6 men to attend this representing Lakeshore and evaluate
the conference for it's content and effectiveness.
Devotional Notes
Ray Reyes provided a devotional on "Taking the First Step to Becoming a Mature Man of God".
Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the
whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves,
and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful
scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is,
Christ. Ephesians 4:13-15 (NIV).
Papyrus, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for
you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. Colossians 4:12 (NAS). But solid
food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:14
(NAS).
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4
(NAS).
The Crazy Cycle: Without love she reacts without respect. Without respect he reacts without love. Whoever is
most mature takes the first step to breaking the crazy cycle.
Read John 13:34 and Ephesians 5:33.
Practical Application (as shown in The Love and Respect ministry of Dr. Emerson Eggerichs).
As your wife I feel loved when...
Closeness: You hold her hand, hug her, affectionate without sexual intentions.
Openness: You share your feeling when you tell her about your day; talk without harshness, guardedness or
grunting.
Understanding: You listen to her, repeat back what she sometimes says so that she knows you're listening,
express appreciation for her contribution and her different roles she's playing by saying, "I couldn't do your job."
Peacemaking: You admit that you are wrong and apologize by saying "I'm sorry". Keep the relationship up-to-
date; resolve the unresolved and don't say "Forget it." Pray after a hurtful time.
Loyalty: You don't look at other women, speak only positive things about her before family and friends, do not
bring up the "D" word (divorce).
Esteem: You verbally support and honor her. Praise her for what she does whether inside the home or outside
the home. Value her opinion in the gray areas remembering she may not be wrong but just different from you.