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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.

Insights: The Holiness Factor

Our God is an awesome God and He reigns from heaven above. Here are the words to a great hymn:

  • Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
  • In light inaccessible, hid from our eyes,
  • Most blessed most glorious, the Ancient of Days
  • Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise

I love those words! There is no one like God. He is perfect, infinite and sovereign over all the details of life. Yet, He also allows situations, though they are in His control, they seem like they are out of our control. That causes foolish responses and actions. Continue reading

Book Review: “Compromise – Refuting non-biblical interpretations of Genesis 1” by Answers in Genesis

“Compromise” is a concise defense regarding several erroneous, non-biblical interpretations of Genesis 1. Ken Ham, Terry Mortenson and Werner Gift address three prominent views creationists hold that compromise the natural, literal interpretation of Genesis 1 with the theory (and lie) of “millions and millions of years.” These three views hold to a Divine Creator, but seek to mesh this theory into an implausible explanation of Genesis 1. Continue reading

MSG: Train Your Replacements: How to Disciple Worship: 1 Timothy 2:13-15

This message was presented on February 9, 2014 as part of the series on 1 Timothy.

Some members of a certain church denomination were discussing whether or not the church should ordain women as pastors. During this discussion, a man jumped to his feet and said, “We should ordain women as pastors because they are just as bright as men.” A few people said, “Here, here.” Another commented, “We have women doctors and women lawyers, so why should we not also have women pastors?” A few more said, “Here, here.” Another yelled, “Women are equal to men and therefore they should be pastors.”  Continue reading

Suffering: What kind of suffering from God’s perspective does He allow? Part 4

This is the fourth part in answering the question, “What kind of suffering from God’s perspective does He allow?” in the larger question asked, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 1,2, and 3 were posted in the three previous days.

Divine Suffering

Divine suffering is the result of God’s Divine action either to punish unbelievers or to discipline believers. When He punishes unbelievers, He uses suffering to get their attention before they enter a Christ-less or hopeless eternity We see examples of this discipline in Sodom and Gomorrah, Pharaoh and Egypt or the idolatry of the Canaanites at the hand of Joshua. But it is also a warning for others to turn from their wicked ways to the arms of a holy, loving God who deserves worship and thanksgiving for His abundant mercy and grace. God is a just God, who will not allow His holiness to be rejected forever and stops the spread of wickedness and sin. Continue reading

Suffering: What kind of suffering from God’s perspective does He allow? Part 3

This is the third part of answering the question, “What kind of suffering from God’s perspective does He allow?” in the large project of answering the question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 1 and 2 were posted in the previous two days.

Demonic Evil

Demonic evil is the harm and suffering caused by Satan and his demonic organization. He is alive and at work creating confusion, chaos, division and resultant suffering. Hence, people often suffer because Satan is that vicious enemy who hates and is out to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10a). There are some people who blame every problem on Satan and ignore personal and corporate moral evil as well as natural evil. However, Satan and his demons are ones who murder (John 8:44), torment (Acts 5:16), cause bodily harm (Acts 8:4-8), create false wonders and miracles (2 Thes. 2:9-10) and accuse the saints before God (Rev. 12:10). Continue reading

Suffering: What kind of suffering from God’s perspective does He allow? Part 2

This is the second part in answering the question, “What kind of suffering from God’s perspective does He allow?” in the larger project of answering the question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Part one was posted yesterday.

Natural Evil

Natural evil is that which results from the presence of sin in the world. When God created the world as we have it today (Gen. 1), He made it perfect, with harmony and balance, and God declared that it was “very good.” (Gen. 1:31)  It was the perfect environment with work that was easy and harmony with the animals. Yet, when Adam sinned, God pronounced a curse on the ground, so that Adam would have laborious work in life, Continue reading

Suffering: What kind of suffering from God’s perspective does He allow? Part 1

This is the first part of the article answering the question, “What kind of suffering from God’s perspective does He allow?” It is part of the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?”

Suffering is a problem for everyone. A child is born blind, deformed or mentally afflicted; and the question is: Why? The child has done no harm. A good man or woman is racked with pain from a hopeless disease and we ask: Why? Continue reading

Book Review: “Global Warming” by Answers in Genesis

“Global Warming” is an objective analysis of the hype portrayed by many scientists, politicians and the media. It is objective, because it looks at the facts and takes out the scare tactics. It removes the personal agendas that some use to gain greater control over people and unknowingly, destroy small businesses. Continue reading