Devotional For Men Blog
Are You Going with the Flow?
Do you need help finding God’s path? Talk to a mentor.
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)
A couple of years ago, my bride and I were in Albuquerque for a meeting that was at the same time as the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival. It was an incredible sight to see all of the multi-colored balloons glistening against the crystal blue New Mexico sky.
My friend asked us if we had ever ridden in one and we both said no. He said that then was the time and the next thing I knew, we were crammed in an oversized laundry basket with two other friends and a young pilot barely old enough to shave and we were trusting our life to him.
Always wanting to know how things work, I started asking questions as I watched the hot air from the burners fill the balloon. There was a brisk wind from the South and I asked how we could ever expect to get back where we started. As we lifted off and began a rather swift ride North, the pilot answered my question.
It seems that the wind, much like the currents in the ocean does not run uniformly at all altitudes. The trick to piloting a balloon is to find out which way the wind is blowing at different altitudes and raising or lowering the balloon’s altitude to catch a ride in the desired direction.
A lot of people run their lives that way, following whatever is the path of least resistance. We take great pains to put ourselves on its path. We’d do anything to keep from waiting in traffic, standing in line at the bank, post office, or grocery store. We’d come back another time when the place is not as busy.
If Noah, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego, Joseph, Joshua and Caleb, Esther and others had taken the path of least resistance, would we be reading about them in the Scriptures? Probably not, because God’s way is not always the easy way.
Sometimes we fail to realize that the struggles and challenges in life, the trials and adversities that we face day to day are just what we need to grow in Christian grace. Matthew talks about the narrow gate and the broad gate. One is easy to pass through and the other takes effort, but the rewards are greater. Which way do you choose?
So, as we go through life, let us not follow the easiest way, but the way of highest calling…. God’s way.
Iron Sharpens Iron
Are you lacking Christian community? Let us pray for you.
Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27: 17)
These days, especially in large metropolitan areas, the Christian has a lot to choose from. You can attend a small neighborhood church with dozen of members or you can attend a mega church with thousands of members. You can hear great preaching and sermons that spiritually excite you in person, on line or on television. You can hear wonderful Christian music that inspires you.
But no matter where you go or what you hear, unless you are involved in a small group experience, you are not sharpening your spiritual growth. I am talking about Bible fellowship classes, small group Bible studies, prayer groups and accountability partnerships.
All of us are the product of the people we meet, the places we go and the books we read. If we hang around with dogs, we get fleas. In life, we are an associational product. It’s not easy to love a “G Rated” life in an “X Rated world.
The best way to live a holy life is to hang around with those who do. Get involved in a Bible fellowship, a morning Bible and accountability group, or a weekly luncheon with Christian brethren.
Living a holy life is not easy, but in order to do so, we must live in fellowship with God and have the flavor of God in our life. All of that goes with the development of a healthy and godly fear in our lives. To live a holy life, I must be identified with God and with Holy living. The best way to do that is to hang around with holy people.
Since I became a Christian I don’t do what I used to and I am not who I once was. But, I am human and I can slip and slide, especially when I hang around with the wrong people, read the wrong books (TV’s shows, movies and the like) and go the wrong places. No matter how solid my faith, there are limits to the temptation I can resist.
Getting saved is something I have to do alone. It is a private and personal thing between God and me. But living the Christian life is something that is best done in a group setting. It needs to be done with others and, like putting on your clothes, it is something that needs to be done daily. Daily, I must walk with the Spirit or risk walking in the flesh.
Living the Christian life is not easy in this demoralized world, but a team approach makes any task easier. Iron does sharpen iron, as Christians sharpen one another. So, pull along others and grow together.
Another Side of Our Saviour
Do you need Jesus to be your warrior? Let us pray with you.
“The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name.” (Exodus 15:3)
Do a Google image search on the name Jesus. What do you see? I see dozens of pictures of a white guy who looks like he might be good at crocheting or reading nursery rhymes.
Who was Jesus? Well, he is alive, so the proper question is, “Who is Jesus?” What is he actually like? If you hung out with him for a day, what kind of person would you see.
He is God’s son and the image of the invisible God. Of the many indescribable characteristics he possesses, one of the strongest would undoubtedly be his humility. Philippians 2, among many other passages, confirms this.
But another facet in the diamond that is Jesus’ personality comes in the form of his warrior persona.
The Jews were expecting a liberating Savior that would free them from their physical oppression, restoring the nation of Israel geographically and politically. Jesus was concerned with much different things. He was in the business of spiritual liberation, spiritual freedom. He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness and remained faithful, using the word of God as his defense. He cast out evil spirits and demons from people, restoring them to spiritual health. He was aware of the spiritual realms and engaged in spiritual warfare on many occasions.
May we do the same, by faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, to the glory of His name. As Christ fought the darkness, so must we.
LORD, you are a warrior. May we be aware, as your son was when He came to earth, of the spiritual battle that rages around us. Holy Spirit, help us believe and overcome our unbelief. Keep us strong by the truth during temptation. Keep us faithful by prayer and fasting during spiritual warfare. Amen.
The Kingdom of God is Near
Are you living a Spirit-filled life? You can start today.
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’” (Matthew 4:17)
The gospels record Jesus proclaiming, (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15) and instructing His disciples to proclaim, that the kingdom of God is near. (Matthew 10:7; Luke 10:9, 11) Although the book of Acts, Paul’s letters and other New Testament books continue to speak about the kingdom of God, none use the phrase, “the kingdom of God is near”. Why wouldn’t the apostles continue to use that statement?
People were looking for an earthly kingdom, one to overthrow the Romans and free them from oppression, but Jesus’ talk of the kingdom suggested a less tangible but still powerful realm. Jesus told the Pharisees, “The kingdom of God does not come visibly, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
Jesus also said “Some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” (Mark 9:1) If Jesus meant the complete fulfillment of the kingdom of God – with sin and Satan finally defeated, where Christ will reign eternally – then some of the people who heard His words would still be living today.
That’s not the case. So, we know Jesus was describing the indwelling of Holy Spirit, who enables believers to live in the kingdom of God and experience His power. Many lived to see that day – Pentecost – when the Holy Spirit powerfully descended upon the disciples. (Acts chapter 2)
The disciples no longer preached ‘the kingdom of God is near’ after Jesus’ resurrection, because it had arrived. Jesus explained that you can’t see the kingdom of God because it is within you. His death, resurrection and ascension into heaven, made it possible for the Holy Spirit to come and live within us.
God’s kingdom – His rule and authority – came to earth through Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit in our lives – the kingdom of God within us – empowers us to walk in righteousness.
Thank you God that Your kingdom is here – within me! Help me to live in that reality. Amen.
Questions: How does knowing the kingdom of God is within you affect you? How have you experienced the power of the kingdom in your life?
Acknowledge Him
Where do you need to see God at work today? Come talk to a mentor.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
We both entered the doorway at the same time. She paused and looking at me, waved her arm in front of her gesturing me to go first. Acknowledging my presence she let me lead the way. In much the same way God has given us the wise instruction to acknowledge Him in all of our ways; to look to Him and let Him lead the way. With that instruction comes the promise that He will direct our paths.
Today as you go through your day, be mindful to acknowledge the Lord God in everything that concerns you. In doing so He will enter every situation and conversation ahead of you and He will direct the way.
As you wake up not feeling enthusiastic about going to work:
Lord, please go ahead of me today as I walk into work. Give me peace and confidence as I acknowledge You as the source of this provision for me. Guide my path through this day as I work diligently for You.
As you walk into a meeting, a conversation, a chance meeting on the street:
Lord, I step aside right now and ask You to step ahead of me and prepare the way so that my words and attitudes will bring Your light into this moment.
As you engage in your relationships and your work in your home:
Lord, thank you for my family. Right now I acknowledge that I need You to prepare the way as You go ahead of me into… this supper hour/this hour that I work on my bills and finances/this time that I help the kids with their homework/this mountain of work that overwhelms me/this conversation I need to have with my spouse. Thank you for Your presence and Your promise.
As you feel weary and frustrated with tiredness and health issues:
Lord, I acknowledge You as my strength and my Great Physician. Please direct my path to greater health and give me Your strength and grace today.
Lord, I trust You with every detail of my life. I want to trust You more whole-heartedly every day. I know that my own understanding is so limited and I thank You that You see the whole picture. I ask You to go before me today, to remind me to acknowledge You throughout the events of my day. Thank you that You will guide me with Your wisdom and strength and You will make the way straight for me. I pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, amen.
Question: How does it make you feel that God is directing every step of your day? Does that change how you will react and respond to your situations?
Apple and The Gospel?
Are you struggling with repentance? Talk to a mentor.
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.“ (Matthew 3:11)
In 1997 Apple released an ad that featured some of the world’s brightest innovators and connoisseurs. Short clips of Mahatma Ghandi, Jim Henson, Martin Luther King Jr. and others played as a voice described the personalities on screen. The ad used words like “rebels,” “misfits,” and “crazy ones.” It told us that these people “see things differently”.
In Matthew chapter four, Jesus began to preach saying, “Repent! For the Kingdom of heaven is near.” Repentance is not whimsically and emotionally flipping back and forth like an indecisive squirrel on hot asphalt. But it is a profound realization of sin that graciously transforms us.
Jesus was telling people to change the way they think. Was this something new? Not at all! Jesus is proclaiming the same call to repentance as John the Baptist and all the other prophets who have gone before him (Matt. 3). Why? Because repentance still was, and ever will be, the necessary factor to prepare our souls for the kingdom of heaven.
We must think differently and Apple knows it, but comparatively, the similarities are rather short lived. What Apple hasn’t got figured out is that we must think differently about our sinful state, about God, and about our brief and fragile existence.
God, I revere and praise you for your faithfulness. You reign in heaven and I pray that your will would be done on earth. Thank you for repentance and the opportunity to change. Holy Spirit, continue to renew my spirit by making my thoughts more like Christ. Amen.
I Have a Choice
Are you struggling to face another day? Talk to a mentor.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
How do you face another day? Do you look forward to it with joyful anticipation or do you think, oh no! Not another day.
Just as I have a choice as to what I’m going to wear for the day, I have a choice as to what my attitude will be. I can put on the glasses of pessimism or hope.
When we put on the glasses of pessimism, we see fear and despair, distortion, things are littered with “what ifs” and “if onlys.” But with the glasses of hope, we have faith and a pleasant perspective of the future. After all I serve a God of hope, not of despair. What a difference it makes when you put on the glasses of hope.
Lord, You are God, my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Questions: How can you put on glasses of hope today? What can you do when faced with pessimism?
Rejoice?
Today’s free lesson will help you develop a heart of worship.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 4:4-6)
How is your heart this morning? Are you feeling like rejoicing? “Rejoice” may not be the first word that springs to your mind as you awaken in the morning. Yet that is exactly what God’s word calls us to do, and with good reason.
God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our tendency to allow the clamor of the day and the never-ending “to do” list to consume us and eat away at our joy.
He knows our tendency to be “edgy” with those around us when we feel pressured or overwhelmed. He knows anxiety can be quick to come pounding at our heart’s door. That’s why He gives us specifics of “how to” along with the command to “rejoice”. He knows us … and He gives us His wisdom. Listen:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 4:4-6)
First, we make a clear cut choice to “rejoice in the Lord.” When our eyes open and the day begins to flood in we can make a deliberate choice to focus our thoughts on the Lord Jesus Christ and all He offers us as our feet hit the floor.
You can pray, “Thank you Lord, that You offer to me all that I need today. Help me rest in the confident expectation that You are right beside me.”
Because the Lord is right beside you, offering what you need today, you can allow gentleness, not edginess, to be your response to those around you.
“Thank you Lord, that Your gentleness can be on my lips and can change my attitudes today. Let gentleness, poured upon my heart by Your Holy Spirit, be evident where edginess usually reigns”.
As the day rolls out and anxious thoughts begin to surface, remember that the Lord is near. Begin to thank Him for the good things in your day. Thank Him for the strength and wisdom He alone can give you. Begin to quietly present your requests to Him in the midst of your present need and in the bumpy parts of your day.
“Thank you Lord, that You alone are big enough to handle all that concerns me today. I give you this concern right now and ask for Your wisdom and strength. I trust Your unfailing love for me today as You work in my circumstances. Help me keep my eyes focused on You, My God and my Savior; my Help and my Strength.”
Then watch the amazing peace of Jesus that will guard your heart and your mind and cover you as you walk through even the most difficult of days… and your heart will rejoice! It’s a complete circle. Be mindful of your choices today.
It’s easy to forget to make that early morning choice to focus on the Lord and all He offers as we step into our day and the morning news greets us.
Some ways to help may include:
*Choosing worship music to wake up too.
*Saying a prayer, before your feet hit the floor, and thanking Jesus that He is right beside you and will guide and give you wisdom and strength today.
* Writing the above Bible verse or a favorite one on a stickie and putting it on your makeup mirror or where you brush your teeth.
Anytime of the day you can pause and pray to Jesus and ask Him for the strength and wisdom He alone can bring. As you choose to rejoice in His presence with You He will be right there to let His peace guard your heart and mind! Thank you Jesus!
Questions: Are you struggling to rejoice? What truths did you learn from this devotional that you can incorporate into your life today?
In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Don’t treat prayer like an oil change. Prayer is so much more than that.
“I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it… In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (John 14:13-14 and John 16:23)
“It’s been good talking with you. I know You heard me. And by the way…in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Whether the prayer has been a simple conversation with God or was poured out from a breaking heart, how often we hurriedly tack on four words that we presume necessary to make it a “proper prayer”. It’s as if we believe that God must hear us now because we have finished the formula.
In Jesus’ agonizing time in the Garden of Gethsemane, His words were simple, a cry of His heart to a Father He knew loved Him and heard His voice. During heartbreaking, confusing times like those, formulas are useless because they involve only the mind. When hearts are breaking and minds slog through muddiness, words are from the heart, real, desperate and loaded with emotion.
“In Jesus’ name” is not a formula. Praying in His name means praying with Jesus’ authority and asking God the Father to act upon our prayers—in His time and way—because we come in the name of His Son. When we pray in His name, we are praying His will, as if in His stead, much like when we act on behalf of a loved one in a power of attorney situation. We are praying just as Jesus would.
Dr. Mark Roberts says that when he was young, praying “in Jesus’ name” was something like a magic formula, ensuring that God would hear his prayers. He goes on to say that it might be good not to use the words unless—or until—we have given serious thought to what we are praying: does our prayer in some way lie within the realm of God’s will? And for clearer understanding of that will, we must spend concentrated time in discovering the glorious God of the Bible and in careful listening to His Spirit. “In Jesus’ name” then becomes a powerful statement of faith.
Question: How does praying the way Jesus prayed affect your prayer life?
Seeing the Miraculous!
Do you need help seeing God’s miracles? Let us pray for you.
Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15-17)
It was not their first baby, so as the parents of 3-and-a-half-year-old twin boys, they felt everything was on course for the birth of their next child. As it became evident that full labor was upon them, they loaded up the boys, packed bags and head to the sitter’s house then on to the hospital.
The situation became urgent when her water broke on their way to the sitter’s. Speeding, they got pulled over by the police. The male officer was caught off guard when the husband explained that his wife’s water broke, but the officer’s partner, a woman, immediately understood and sent the family on their way. Stopping at the sitter’s was no longer an option. At the hospital in the birthing suite, while the doctors and nurses dealt with the imminent arrival of their sister, the boys watched TV. During the labor, one of her boys turned to his mom and said, “Mom, sssshhhh! We’re trying to watch TV!”
I’m sure there are times when I, like that 3-year-old, miss the fact that God is doing the miraculous because I’m too distracted or out of touch with God. Not only do I miss out on something really cool, but I can also be a little annoyed with God for inconveniencing me! Like Elisha’s servant in the following verses, I need to have my eyes opened to what God is really doing around me.
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15-17)
My prayer… “God, help me not to be distracted today. Open my eyes to what you are doing, to the miraculous.”
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