Even though it is six months away, I want to promote CrossPoint’s Third Annual Men’s Weekend. Our guest for the January 28 – 30, 2011, weekend is Steve Farrar. Click here to read more about Steve. You will notice CrossPoint’s webpage is linked to Steve’s schedule.
Point Man and Finishing Strong are two of my favorite Farrar books. I also remember Steve preaching at Promise Keepers years ago, and I had the privilege of hearing Steve speak again last Saturday morning in Oneonta, Alabama. Dr. Farrar was the guest of Union Hill Baptist Church, where my friend Bill Barnett is the pastor. He was there leading in men’s retreat for that fine church.
I carried several men and college guys with me to hear Steve speak. And each one walked away excited about having him as our guest in 2011.
Steve’s topic in the session we attended was the providence of God. Although it only took him a few minutes to begin, Steve said more in the introduction to his message than most pastors communicate in a week of sermons.
Dr. Farrar says God works in a man’s life three ways:
- God works PROVIDENTIALLY, which means He is involved in every detail.
- God works STRANGELY, which means sometimes what God’s work does not make sense.
- God works SLOWLY, which means God’s plan takes time to manifest itself in our lives.
Then Dr. Farrar blessed us by explaining the 10 ways God was in control of Joseph’s life:
- God is in control over DEVASTATING LOSS – Joseph sold into slavery
- God is in control over EVERY EVENT OF YOUR LIFE – no accidents, only providence
- God is in control over ALL ASSIGNMENTS – Joseph being prepared as a slave
- God is in control over GRIEVOUS SETBACKS – The Lord was always with Joseph
- God is in control over BROKEN HOPES – never put a timetable on God’s plans
- God is in control over PROLONGED WAITING – during the two years in prison Joseph had to wonder what God was doing
- God is in control over POWERFUL PEOPLE – God owns them and God runs them
- God is in control over ALL PROMOTION – the Lord prepared Joseph to organize Egypt while he was organizing the prison
- God is in control over ALL WEATHER – seven years of harvest, followed by seven years of famine
- God is in control over ALL EVENTS – according to Genesis 50:20 – good or bad, friend or foe, God will work all things for your good
After preaching for more than an hour on the providence of God (and it seemed like only minutes) Dr. Farrar concluded with this question, “Doesn’t that give you hope?”
I responded audibly and enthusiastically, “Yes, it does.” My heart was brimming with hope and still bubbles over with God’s hope today.
I trust you can sense the power and potency of Dr. Farrar’s message. And I trust I can sense my excitement about CrossPoint’s Third Annual Men’s Weekend.
We have already invited more than a dozen churches to partner with us. The pastors of those churches will be eating lunch with me in a few weeks. My sister’s church in Richmond, Indiana, is planning to bring a van-load of men to the conference.
Enthusiasm is growing. Spread the word. Mark the date on your calendars. And please start praying for CrossPoint’s Third Annual Men’s Weekend, January 28 – 30, 2011.