4th Man Ministries was born out of a need to understand, rightly divide, and perform the Word of God as it applies to our daily lives.
As Christians actively in God's service we endure hardships that come from a variety of sources. The Bible clearly warns us that we will be tested, it also cautions us that we have an adversary (one who actively seeks whom he may devour). We are also told that whom God loves, He chastens.
So many churches and lay people do a very thorough job of explaining how to throw the victory party when we come out of the fiery furnace. What they have neglected to teach us is how to enter into it, or how to endure the refinement.
Many churches present the Christian life as a cakewalk, and it's just not that way. When a person actively seeking God in their life comes upon hard times, the church will usually put the blame on the individual.
They use "pat" denominational answers like "Give it to God" or "Rebuke the devil" or something along those lines. If you dare question the advice they give, they're answer is "You just do it".
Although these statements are essentially true, they are also situational. We need to know from God's Word what really does apply to the person's situation? We need to take a good hard look at the advice we give.
Many churches behave more like Job's friends instead of Jesus. It's a lot easier to put the blame on the person who is going through hard times than it is to help them through it.
The sad truth is that in many churches if you don't get an immediate, miraculous response to your present dilemma, they tell you, "YOU DIDN"T HAVE ENOUGH FAITH" or "THERE MUST BE SIN IN THE CAMP".
In essence they are telling you that you are the root of your own problem and offer no other solution. What hope does that give?
If God put you in the furnace, all the devil rebuking in the world isn't going to get you out of it. Should you give the fiery furnace to God and deny you're in it, or should you actively try to learn from the trial? If God is chastening you what reason is there to rebuke the devil?
The biblical fact is, if you're in the furnace it's because you had much faith, not a lack of faith. If satan is allowed to come against you it's because God sees you as righteous and not as one having sin in your camp.
The mission of 4th Man ministries is to let you know that it is a normal part of the Christian walk to go through trials, tribulations, spiritual and physical attacks, as well as chastening from the Father. We also need to let you know that we are in a spiritual war, in the end we win, if we remain faithful!
The attitude that we strive to keep and promote at 4th Man Ministries is that of the three Hebrew children who when called before the king remained faithful. When confronted with certain death as well as the king's taunts, their response was immediate and final.
They boldly told the king that they KNEW God was able to deliver, but that wasn't the point. The point is that it didn't matter to them whether God chose to deliver them or not. They chose to be obedient to God - even if He chose not to deliver them.
This attitude of obedience and loyalty to God can only be attained through a deep and personal relationship with the Father. The building of such a relationship is essential if we are going to serve God and come out of our own furnace pure as gold.
