Men's Prayer Breakfast

Posted on Aug. 13, 2010 by John A. Lillie.

2 Samuel 23 contains part of David’s last will and testament to the nation of Israel as Solomon prepares to become King. David reflects upon his life and notes two important truths that God had instructed him concerning his work: 1) he was to rule justly over men, and 2) he was to rule in the fear of God. David was to never forget that his calling was to work with men and for God! That is the calling of the King, it is also the calling of the pastor.

What I want to draw your attention to in this passage are the two types of men David dealt with. The first are worthless men….men of Belial. This is a term that can refer to persecutors and the enemy, or simply those unprofitable. They are set in juxtaposition with David’s “mighty men.” These were men of strength, valor; men who could be depended upon.

Worthless men and mighty men; the question is which group do we aspire to belong to? At Countryside we purpose to provide every opportunity for our men to become “mighty men” in the Lord. We have discipleship opportunities as well as ministry opportunities for men to become actively involved in ministry from ushering to preaching and everything in between. We also encourage men to become engaged in mentoring relationships to assist in their spiritual growth.

But the one ministry that I want to highlight in this article is our men’s prayer breakfast. On the second Saturday of each month men from Countryside meet at 7 AM at the church for breakfast and edification. Through discussion of God’s truth, prayer, and mutual encouragement, it is a time, spiritually speaking, when we sharpen our swords and pledge again our devotion first to God and then to our brothers in Christ.

For all those who aspire to be good soldiers of Jesus Christ along with those who have been serving faithfully and may be tired or wounded, this is a great time of refreshment and refitting so that together we might be able to fight the good fight. Men’s Prayer Breakfast is open to all men and I encourage each of you to take another step toward being one of the King’s mighty men by joining us the next second Saturday.

The Next Prayer Breakfast:

Date: Saturday, August 14 at 7:00 AM Location: Countryside Bible Church

2 Samuel 23:1-8

23:1 Now these are the last words of David:

The oracle of David, the son of Jesse,
the oracle of the man who was raised on high,
the anointed of the God of Jacob,
the sweet psalmist of Israel:

2 “The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me;
his word is on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel has spoken;
the Rock of Israel has said to me:
When one rules justly over men,
ruling in the fear of God,
4 he dawns on them like the morning light,
like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning,
like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.

5 “For does not my house stand so with God?
For he has made with me an everlasting covenant,
ordered in all things and secure.
For will he not cause to prosper
all my help and my desire?
6 But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown away,
for they cannot be taken with the hand;
7 but the man who touches them
arms himself with iron and the shaft of a spear,
and they are utterly consumed with fire.”

8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time. (ESV)