Week 39 GraceMen Weekly Update

This Week:
1. Prayer
2. Meditation
3. Quote
4. Events
5. Book Recommendation

Grace and Peace to you brothers.

We live in unprecedented times of confusion and chaos where every day brings new challenges that demand wisdom beyond our own understanding. Paul's prayer in Philippians 1:9-10 captures the heart of what we need as men: "And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ". Notice that Paul doesn't pray for simple love or basic knowledge—he prays for love coupled with discernment, the ability to distinguish not just between good and evil, but between good and best. In our information-saturated world where everyone claims to have the answer, this capacity to "approve what is excellent" has never been more essential. True discernment isn't about becoming suspicious or critical of everything around us, but about developing the spiritual maturity to see situations as God sees them, to think His thoughts after Him. As men called to lead—whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities—our discernment impacts others. When we learn to distinguish between the competing voices of our culture and align our decisions with God's Word, we become anchors of stability in the storm, the kind of men our families can trust, our churches can depend on, and our God can use to bring His kingdom purposes to earth.

Prayer:

God, teach me to be a man of discernment in a world of confusion. (Philippians 1:9-10)

Meditation: 

Consider areas where you need to exercise greater discernment in your life.

Quote:

“In every trial and tribulation, let us find comfort in the knowledge that God, in His infinite wisdom, orchestrates all for the good of His chosen people. God’s hand is behind every event, crafting our lives for His glory.” – John Owen

Events:

Tuesday - September 23, 2025

Morning Bible Study - 6am - 7:15am

• At the Church in the Tower Room
• Steve Lipinski facilitating 

Thursday - September 25, 2025

Evening Bible Study - 8pm

• At the Church in the Tower Room\

Saturday - September 27, 2025

Morning Bible Study - 7am

• At the Church in the Prayer Room
• Topic: Hosea 4:1-19:  A Nation Without Knowledge 
• Facilitator: Eugene Allen

Book Recommendation:

The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment by Tim Challies



In an age where truth is increasingly relative and discernment is often dismissed as judgmental, Tim Challies' "The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment" emerges as an essential guide for every Christian seeking to navigate today's complex spiritual landscape with biblical wisdom. This powerful book transforms what many consider an abstract concept into a practical, learnable skill that protects believers from deception while fostering genuine spiritual maturity. Challies masterfully demonstrates that discernment—defined as "the skill of understanding and applying God's Word with the purpose of separating truth from error and right from wrong"—is not an optional luxury for super-spiritual Christians but a commanded discipline for all who follow Christ[1][2]. Whether you're a new believer struggling to evaluate competing truth claims, a seasoned Christian seeking to sharpen your spiritual senses, or a church leader responsible for protecting your congregation from false teaching, this book provides the theological foundation and practical methodology you need to develop Spirit-empowered, Scripture-anchored discernment that glorifies God and serves others. In a world drowning in spiritual confusion, Challies offers clarity; in a culture that fears making judgments, he provides biblical courage; and in an era that prizes experience over truth, he anchors readers firmly in God's unchanging Word - making this book not just recommended reading, but essential equipment for faithful Christian living.

In His Service,
GraceMen