About shepherdbryan

My passion is to disciple and see men discipled in every area of their life to see the multiplication principle actually work in a 100 year generational blessing. As go men in the church, so goes the church. As go men in the nation, so goes the nation. Fortunately, because men have often not taken their spiritual role to the limit, God has raised up many godly women to carry the torch where men have laid it aside. May God rapidly raise up men for the next generation of leaders to the Fourth Generation of spiritual leaders! As men lead in a godly way, women will follow in a godly way and that people will be blessed of the Lord.

Suffering: Are there innocent people that God allows to suffer? Part 4

Posted on February 22, 2014 by shepherdbryan

This if the fourth and final part in answering the question, “Are there innocent people that God allows to suffer?” in the larger series answering the question, “How can a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 1,2 and 3 were posted over the previous three days.

Did God see the suffering to come?

If God is all-knowing, did He know the suffering that would come to mankind? Yes, He knew it would come. Did God know about the evil that would be perpetrated against the people He had created? Yes, He did. Does that make God some form of deity that is less than loving? Continue reading →

Suffering: Are there innocent people that God allows to suffer? Part 3

Posted on February 21, 2014 by shepherdbryan

This is part three in answering the question, “Are there innocent people that God allows to suffer?” in the larger series question, “How can a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 1 and 2 were posted in the previous two days.

Cain and Abel inherited a sin nature, which made life a test

God blessed Adam and Eve with two sons, Cain and Abel. Growing up under the discipleship of their parents, they learned that they must worship the Lord and offer sacrifices in the promise of God’s coming sacrifice (Jesus), “But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins. (Heb. 10:3 NKJ) However, Cain and Abel offered two very different kinds of sacrifices. Continue reading →

Suffering: Are there innocent people that God allows to suffer? Part 2

Posted on February 20, 2014 by shepherdbryan

This is the second part in answering the question, “Are there innocent people that God allows to suffer? in the larger series answering the question, “How can a loving God allow suffering?” Part 1 was posted yesterday.

Adam and Eve were innocent when God created them

Adam was created by God on the sixth day of creation. Moses wrote, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” (Gen. 2:7 NKJ) God breathed into Adam the breath of lives (literally lives is plural in the Hebrew referring to both physical and spiritual life). When God finished creation, He completed His work on the sixth day and said, “It was very good.” Adam was in an innocent, untested state. Continue reading →

Suffering: Are there innocent people that God allows to suffer? Part 1

Posted on February 19, 2014 by shepherdbryan

This is the first part of the article answering the question, ‘Are there innocent people that God allows to suffer?” which is part of the larger series, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Three additional parts will be posted over the next three days.

In June 1991, in South Lake Tahoe, California, Jaycee Lee Dugard walked from home to a school bus stop and was kidnapped. She was kept captive for 18 years and forced to bear two daughters in 1994 and 1998 from sexual assaults.¹ Why did she have to suffer like that and for that long? How could thousands of innocent people suffer from hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquake and tsunamis? How can God, who is purportedly good and powerful, allow this? Continue reading →

Q&A: Train Your Replacements: How to Train Men to Oversee: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Posted on February 18, 2014 by shepherdbryan

Below are suggested answers for the Message Based Discussion Questions from the message presented on February 16, 2014. These answers are merely to stimulate thought, not replace it. The message outline is listed first.

1 Peter 3:7

How do you disciple men to be overseers?

1) Disciple men who want to oversee 3:1

2) Disciple men to proven character 3:2-6 Continue reading →

MSG: Train Your Replacements: How to Train Men to Oversee; 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Posted on February 17, 2014 by shepherdbryan

This message was presented on February 16, 2014 as part of the series on 1 Timothy.

The question came up from last week’s message, “What roles should, or can a woman serve in outside of the church?” I’m very open to this, so come to the home group that meets on Wednesday nights, here at the church at 7pm and we’ll discuss it. I’m interested in your thoughts. You might feel like Job, not knowing why things happen. Let’s talk.

My custom is to walk through the book of the Bible we’re studying and then deal with related topics from the text at the end. That way…if the Rapture happens, I don’t have to deal with them! No seriously, I want you to have the flow of the text and we’ll come back to them. You are always welcome to ask or write down questions, or get together. Continue reading →

SGL: What attitude does the Leader express toward his home group?

Posted on February 16, 2014 by shepherdbryan

Everything is built on leadership. Jesus is the ultimate leader, who knew what He was doing and followed through with it regardless of the cost or depth of the valley. A home group leader doesn’t have to be as good of leader as Jesus, but there are several characteristics that will help every leader of home groups. Let me highlight five. Continue reading →

SGL: If They Are Not Talking, You Don’t Know What They are Thinking!

Posted on February 15, 2014 by shepherdbryan

I love watching my grandchildren grow through physical, mental, relational and emotional stages of growth. They are each growing through them differently, but there are generalities that are fun to watch. I also love to hear them talk. I’m focused when I get to see them and listen closely, because I know great things are going on inside of their brains to make neuron connections and grow! The same things are true for watching people grow spiritually. Continue reading →

Insights: Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 14, 2014 by shepherdbryan

Valentine’s Day is one day every guy needs to remember. It’s not that he needs to join the lavish expenditures as the world promotes, but the simple, focused thoughtfulness that says, “I love you.” And do it in the language your gal can understand. Don’t let others tell you what you have to do or what is considered satisfactory.¹

Continue reading →

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