If we want strong relationships, strong marriages, and strong communities then we need men like Gideon; “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valor” (Judges 6:11-13 KJV) And Jeroboam, “And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph” (1 Kings 11:28 KJV). The dictionary defines valor as boldness or determination in facing great danger. God calls these heroic men in the Holy Bible ‘mighty men of valor’ because they have the characteristics of courage and bravery.
Our women and children need these types of men in families, in homes, in schools, in churches, and in our communities. How do our women and children get these types of men in their lives? It starts with us. And where do we need to start? We need to start with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus is the personification of courage and bravery. What was it about Jesus that made him such a ‘man of valor’? He was obedient even to death and He encourages us to be also obedient until death. ‘Men of valor’ do not destroy one another with their words or actions but they do like Jesus and encourage one another; “He appointed the priests to their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 35:2 ESV). Criticism, disputes, divisions, and gossip destroy but encouragement strengthens; “But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him…” (Deuteronomy 3:28 KJV). This encouragement is displayed during our time together at Men’s Fellowship every Monday at 7 P.M. There is no better time to build one another and strengthen each other to take on the challenges of the world than during the times that we come together at Men’s Fellowship. God’s kingdom is established in a different manner than the world’s system.
The month of February has been designated as Men’s Fellowship Month. This month the men of Shiloh Baptist Church in Rockville Centre, New York, and other brothers from visiting churches and men in the local community will come together to encourage one another and strengthen each other; “And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day” (Judges 20:22 KJV). With Jesus Christ on our side and the encouragement of the brothers, there is no problem, conflict, or challenge that we can’t claim victory over. “It starts with us.”
Submitted By Trustee Stanley Ridley