We are living in a time when distraction is common and time passes at the speed of light.  In today's world, where couples are often both employed, a 40 hour work week may be considered the minimum requirement.

Time is the one item we cannot replace, and yet today's environment fights to occupy it.  Time is necessary in the development of relationships -- the most important being that of a relatioship with God.  In Mark 12:29-31, Jesus reminds us to Love first the Lord and secondly others.

In Hebrews 10:24-25, the Amplified version expresses our need to be in fellowship with others this way -- "And let us consider and give attentive, continouse care to watchingo ver one another, studying how e may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities.  Not forsaking the assembly together as believers..."

We are to wath over each other, instruct, encourage, rebuke, and contend for our each other and our shared faith -- to be transparent, vulnerable, and willing to be transformed into the likeness of Christ.

God did not create man to be in isolation and apart from others.  We are to be in relationship with Him and others!

"American's moral and spiritual decline has reached a critical point.  Unless changes are effected, the point of no return will soon be surpassed.  How can this be true of our great nation?" -- wrote on author addressing the topic of indifference and the decline of the church.

Hebrews 10:23-25 reminds believers, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who is promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on... not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another -- all the more as you see the day approaching."

Do we "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess?" Have life's frustrations, challenges, disappointments, and the broken promises of others, produced a level of hopelessness in us, and an unwillingness to "meet together."  Can we let go of the pain we have experienced and allow His forgiveness, mercy, and grace to rule in our hearts and draw us to a place of unity?

I believe we can... as we pursue the transformative life He has called us to experience!  Eph 4:20-24 reminds us "put off the old self" and "be renewed," to "put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

In Genesis 12:1 the Lord said to Abraham "Leave your country, your people, and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." In verse 2, the Lord said "I will make you a great nation and I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing."

Abraham demonstrated two things, a willingness to not retreat with age as well as willingness to remain obedient to the voice of the Lord.

A study of both the old and New Testament demonstrate a depth of faith that seems distant to many today. What has changed? Does God still speak, are we sensitive enough to hear?  Modern culture seems to be re-defining the church, has the church lost its “saltiness?”

In the Hebrews we read of the many who truly understood the meaning of “faith.” Their faith was counted unto them as “righteousness,” having not received the promise before the ending of their own lifetime, yet they were unyielding.

Are we unyielding in our faith and trust in Him? Have we made our faith about our own desires and wondered why we have experienced disappointment?

Considering Hebrews 11:1, what are we missing?

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith -- "Now faith is the confidence of what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (NIV).  Another version replaces the word "assurance" with "conviction."  Verse 2 states "For by it (faith) men of old gained approval."

Hebrews 11:6 reminds us -- "... without faith, it is impossible to please God.."  Being "All In" begins by faith.

Often referred to the "Hall of Faith," the balance of Hebrews 11 commends other who have been faithful to the end -- Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, to name a few.

Hebrews 11:13-16 reads "All these people were still living by faith when they died.  They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth... instead they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one..."

One of the most courageous was that of Abraham, who at the age of 75, by faith, stepped into what God would ultimately call him to become -- "The father of many nations."  To do this, he would leave all that was familiar -- his country, his people, even his father's household (Genesis 12:1, paraphrased).  Like any of us, he had his moments of doubt, but underlying his human weakness was a strength and trust in God.   

How many of us would leave all that is familiar to go without knowing our destination?  And yet, this iw what Abraham did.  Do you think Abraham was "All In?"

How bout you , me, us?  Are we "All In?"  Are we willing to turn our eyes toward Him and dare to believe even as Abraham believed?  What will be the cost?  Are we willing to start the journey?

Not only did King David have a strong foundation, but he loved the Lord with all his Heart!!

In 1 Samuel 16:7, God instructed Samuel -- "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Any one of the seven brothers of David's had every "appearance" of being great candidates for Kingship, but Samuel knew these were not who God was seeking.

The heart really reflects the core of who we are.  It reflects our character, our will, even our emotions.  What drives us, consumes us, or causes us to react, to engage, or to pursue?

In Matthew 6:21, Jesus said "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."  As our creator, God wants our treasure to be found in Him, through His son, Jesus Christ!

Jesus said this about Himself, in 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; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock."

Despite his failings, the foundation David established in God, created a "Man after God's own heart."  David's heart was full of admiration and a love for God.

Is yours?

While King David struggled under the intense stress and demands of leadership, the time he spent before the Lord, as a young man, would ultimately provide David with a purpose beyond that of human comprehension, reasoning, or self-determination.  

David was chosen by God, through the Prophet Samuel.  Despite having seven older sons, who had all the appearances of being prepared to lead, God directed Samuel, to the youngest of Jesse's sons, David.  David's time was spent tending to sheep, reading God's word, and writing what would become the Book of Psalms.  

David had built a foundation of faith in God, a faith that despite David's indiscretions, would carry him throughout his life.  In 1 Samuel 13:14, God chose David, referring to him as a "man after God's own heart."

Like all of us, David learned the hard way, life apart from living for God is not fulfilling, provides only temporary satisfaction, and leaves one always wanting for more.  There is never enough, apart from knowing God!

David, despite his shortcoming, had an enviable relationship with God?  His title, "a man after God's own heart," is something we should all desire be!

Nearly 3,000 years ago, Solomon, the author of the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes, near the end of his own life, wrote of the meaningless nature of life, when lived simply to gain all that this world has to offer. 

One commentary reads "...he had it ALL ...and he found it ALL meaningless, useless, irrational, pointless, foolish, and empty -- an exercise in futility."  Solomon is considered by many to be the wealthiest man to ever have lived, with an estimated wealth in today's dollars in excess of 2.1 trillion dollars.

In 2011, Steve Jobs, left a similar legacy.  At the age of 56, he died a billionaire.  Founder of Apple, a brilliant man wrote "I reached the pinnacle of success ...my life is epitome of success ...aside from work, I have little joy ...I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in have paled and become meaningless in the face of my death."  

Like Solomon, Steve Jobs came to recognize the meaningless nature of pursuing things.  While we do not know how Steve Jobs reconciled his circumstance in the quiet of his final hours, we do know Solomon's.

"Solomon looked back on his life with an attitude of humilty and repentance... taking stock of his life, hoping to spare his readers the bitterness of learning through personal experience that everyting apart from God is empty, hollow, and meaningless." Bible Commentary

Solomons Final Conclusion:

"Fear God and Keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind." Ecclesiastes 12:13

Praise the Lord! 

Life Beyond the Summit –

“A Faith Journey Podcast for Men”

New Podcast – What does it mean to be “All In?”  -- S2E3

All In?  Am I? Are You?

In the 22nd chapter of the Book of Matthew, Jesus addressed the Pharisees, and a series of questions they were asking.  The most important question asked, “What is the greatest commandment in the Law?” ….Jesus’ response came in these words -- “You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, all of your soul, and all of your mind” – this is the great and foremost commandment."

The question to any of us is this, Does he have ALL of our hearts, souls, and minds?  Accepting Jesus as Savior is only the beginning.  What lies ahead for any of us is allowing him to have Lordship over our lives.  If a relationship with Him represents the Summit, what is next, what does "Life Beyond the Summit" look like for you, for me, for any that profess Him as Savior?

To listen to this Podcast, or others visit Anchor.fm/steve-crowdus or visit our website at www.lifebeyondthesummit.com

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What is ‘Truth?’ Webster defines truth as it relates to objects, events, facts, or that of a ‘spiritual reality.’ In this context, the truth we speak of is that of a ‘spiritual reality’.

In John 8:31-32, Jesus said “if you abide in my word,” two outcomes will result:

        1. “…you are truly my disciples,” (Verse 31, conclusion)

        2. ”….and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (Verse 32, entirety)

It is not until our eyes are opened to Scripture, that that same truth comes to life in us. It is more than simply reading God’s Word or even memorizing verses. Jesus’ desire is for the Word to become real to you! …to me! …to ALL!

The lesson of Jesus in this chapter involves a knowledge of the truth as addressed by the Pharisees who knew the old testament, but were neither free nor honest in their dealings with truth. Abiding in His word, means to not only knowing Him, but His word as life liberating, life giving, and life transforming experience!!

Do you want to know the truth, experience the truth? Accept the work done on the cross for all of mankind!! Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior! Be set free, abide in Him, know his truth and continue to walk in the freedom only He can provide!

Seleh

Welcome back the the Life Beyond the Summit, Faith Journey Podcast for Men.  As of May, 2022, we had completed 35 episcodes, and we appreciate the positive feedback we have received!

The challenges of the summer and other circumstances, placed the podcast on a short sabadical, but we are back!

As the name podcast name implies, our mission is to encourage men in their faith journey, discussing life challenges and the application of God's Word, in order to navigate our daily lives.  Our objective is three fold -- 1) To see men "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18);  2) To experience the "abundant life" that Jesus spoke of in John 10:10 and;  3) To walk in the surety of a "peace that passes all understanding" (Phil 4:7).

In this podcast, we talk about the power that lies within us as Christ followers, and we explore the meaning of the Trinity -- the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  It is the uniqueness of the Trinity that defines THE One True God -- THE Lord, Giver, and Sustainer of life.

We hope you find encouragement in Season 2 and this first episode back!!