A link to the rest of the May 2022 newsletter: https://conta.cc/3woBWfB
Note from the director:
It is addicting to be part of what God is doing in and through The Most Excellent Way...And we are thankful as it is a rewarding addiction. It is a privilege doing this amazing ministry with you and we never want to take it for granted. This past Monday night as we were working through with our men and women, Titus 3:3-8, the “Ah-Ha” moments for those in the room were very real. We read;
"For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIs mercy He saved us, through the washing and regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men."
I am going to share with you what happened on the men’s side of the building, but I am sure it was happening with the women also. After reading that amazing passage out loud, we asked the question; "What do you see in this passage that impacts you? Please stay here in this passage. Don’t take us anywhere else, but in 30 seconds or less, tell us what you see that impacts you from Titus.” About 10 men out of the 40 had something to say.
“He saved us”, one man said. “That impacts me.” “Grace and mercy”, another man said. A third mentioned “We are heirs. That means I’m in the family. I’m getting an inheritance because Jesus saved me.” Still another said, “These things are good and profitable."
It went on and on as the men shared. The Spirit of God was moving. One could see on the faces of some of the new men a recognition. These were men who didn't say anything, but a stirring was happening. It is always wonderful to be a part of! And we get to do it every week! I share this with you, because our men and women were taking part in an...inductive Bible study within the flow of the TMEW meeting. They didn't know it, but that's what we are doing.
They were observing, interpreting and then we moved to applying the text. Observation, Interpretation and Application., that is inductive bible study. As we discuss what God’s Word was saying to us right then, within the flow of the evening, the Spirit of God gave some “Ah-Ha” moments.
God is good like that!
Every week we read Titus 3:3-8 and it never gets old. Every week we see that the Word of God is truly living and active and sharper than a double-edged sword, judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12-16). As our men and women read the Word and are asked the simple question; “What do you see? Tell us in 30 seconds or less, what do you see that impacts you?”
These is when we get to see God's Spirit move. We then do one more thing before we move on past the Titus passage in our regular progression of the evening. We put out an incentive. We say this, “If you can memorize this passage. Just take it one line at a time. But try. If you can memorize this passage we will give you a gift certificate to get yourself a meal at The Best Little Road House Grill. You don’t have to be word perfect, but just try. Here’s why. If you memorize this passage you will get that meal and it will be tasty and satisfy for that evening, but because you memorized Titus, you then will have this passage in your heart and mind, the rest of your life. That is a meal that lasts.”
We have had many do it. People that have never memorized anything, have done it. It has proved to be a benefit to their perseverance as they walk with our Savior.
Mark, who is pictured, was addicted to alcohol, gambling, and fighting. He memorized Titus and received his meal. He told the group Monday he had never memorized anything in his life, but since memorizing the Titus passage he stated.. "I use God’s word to fight off thoughts continually as I remember what God rescued me from and who I am now. An heir. I cannot carry my bible with me every day, but I can now use the sword every moment of the day."
It is addicting to see these moments unfold in people like Mark. Let’s keep helping people get into God’s Word and give the Spirit of God something to do. God’s Word will never come back void. (Isaiah 55:11) We love all that God is doing in and through TMEW around our nation and the world. May God richly bless you where you are! We give thanks for you all!
