Category: Devotion for Men

Categories
Devotion for Men ZZ

When Is a Man a Real Man?

‘For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her ‘ Ephesians 5:22-25(NLT)

‘Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.’ Ephesians 4:29(NLT)

When I hear someone say, “So I should let my wife do whatever she wants?” I think, Let her? Show me a marriage where the guy “lets his wife,” and I’ll show you one where the wife has her bags packed—psychologically, if not physically.

Real men are in control, right? Not right. I confess . . . while I would have vehemently denied it, for years I tried to control my wife. I had expectations. But when I stopped expecting, coaching, counseling, criticizing, questioning, and trying to control, our marriage improved. 

Being in control implies that one has authority. A lot of Christian men love the idea of having authority over their wives. They hang on the first seven words of Ephesians 5:22: “Wives should submit to their husbands in everything” without paying attention to Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

No person can control another person, not really. And when I look at Jesus, I see the most powerful leader ever choosing to live as a gentle servant. He could have exerted control if He’d wanted to, but He chose to lead through influence.

As men, our identity comes from being an adopted son of God. If your identity is tied to being a “real man,” e.g., the husband in control of his wife, that’s a false identity, and it doesn’t look anything like Jesus.

Encourage your wife . . . meaning “give her courage.” Instead of more “wives should submit to their husbands” we need more “husbands, love your wives.”

Question: What will you do this week to encourage your wife?

 from Radical Wisdom: A 7-Day Journey For Husbands by Regi Campbell

Categories
Devotion for Men ZZ

Heroic Honor

‘So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.’ Ephesians 4:25-29(NLT)

‘We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.’ James 3:3-12(NLT)

‘Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. ‘ Romans 12:10(NLT)

I’m not a fan of phone calls, especially when I’m “in the groove” at work. 

When my wife calls, I often get short with her. Plain mean sometimes. 

For whatever reason, the “interruption” triggers me. Countless arguments have been caused, and wonderful days ruined, because of my poisonous words and overall lack of honor towards her. 

The Bible warns us of the tongue’s fire. It is a world of unrighteousness, a restless evil. 

Our words matter.

That’s why commands are given to build each other up and (my personal favorite) to “outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10) The verb “outdo” is a competitive verb. Heroic Husbands don’t lose this competition. We don’t win by how much honor we can accrue for ourselves. No, we win the day by honoring others, and it is our bride who should receive the bulk of it.

Your wife is like a garden. Gardens exist to be seen as beautiful, to be lingered in, and be treasured. While everyone else must marvel from afar, it is only you she invites in. You follow the radiant, sun-kissed paths of who she is; and though it is not perfection, it is lovely. She is lovely. And it is her desire for you to cherish her innate, God-given beauty. 

When my wife invites me in, and I tromp around with a tongue set on “Scorch Mode,” I damage her. I defile the very grounds I’m meant to protect and admire. 

Little nags, critiques, “hints”, and (crucially) lack of compliments, flirts, and honor are not heroic. 

Pause and consider life from your wife’s perspective for a moment. Think about how she cares for people at work, the home, the kids, on and on. Visualize going about the ordinary, overlooked, un-thanked tasks of her day, all that’s required to maintain a healthy household, thriving relationships, a stable reputation, or a progressing career. Are not these duties worthy of honor?

Husband, this is our call to action. We must shower our wives with words of honor.

I bet there is ground to reclaim here, because damage has been done. I know there is for me. 

When we fail,– as we will – we must apologize swiftly. Then get back at it.

Relentlessly choose to honor your bride with your words, even if she calls at an inconvenient time.

from Heroic Husbandry: Reclaiming Hero Status in Your Marriage

Categories
Devotion for Men ZZ

Heroic Pursuit

‘For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. ‘ Ephesians 5:25-28(NLT)

‘See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. ‘ 1 John 3:1-2(NLT)

Many men focus on romance before the altar, forgetting that true romance, flirtation, and fun actually begins after the altar. This is where the uncharted territory commences. This is where Heroic Husbands call home.

A husband fails when he thinks, “Whew! We’re married now. Glad I sealed the deal. Thankful I ‘beat the game.’ Now that she’s mine, time to sit back and chill.” 

Marriages that deconstruct into divorce forget how to have fun as a couple. They exchange rings and vows, and then the pursuit fades away. 

You see, pursuit is downright essential to every marriage, which is why dating – crazy-fun, expectation-shattering dating are so important. 

Heroic Husbandry is a pursuing husbandry.

Start by looking at your wife and dreaming: “what can I do this week to usher unfathomable joy into her life?” Yes, it’s that simple. Secretly brainstorm and think: next step. 

So, planning a dinner date is good. (Especially if she’s not expecting it.) But how can you take the next step? Maybe call the restaurant ahead and arrange a romantic (or silly!) shtick that the waiter is in on. Get creative. And crazy. Then, if you’re daring enough, take another step! Have a hand-written letter leaning against her pillow when she gets home, titled, ‘7 Things I Cherish About  You.’ 

Husband, honestly – like, honestly – this is easy stuff. It just takes intentionality – unchaining of the romantic monster that is in you. Delete the first seven excuses popping into your mind right now, and get after her. 

Jesus, our True Hero, pursues us with an abundant love. His finished work on the cross abundantly, overflowingly, excessively rescued us from our sin, restored us to God, and guaranteed us a bright future with Him. Therefore, when you pursue her with an abundant love, you’re loving her like Christ loved the church. That is Heroic Husbandry. 

And here’s what’s cool. As much as she will benefit from it, you will benefit, too. She’ll tell everyone how heroic her husband is, reciting stories of your heroism around the family table for decades to come.

Husband, stay fun, think up those next steps, and heroically pursue. 

from Heroic Husbandry: Reclaiming Hero Status in Your Marriage

Categories
Devotion for Men ZZ

Heroic Focus

‘You are beautiful, my darling, beautiful beyond words. Your eyes are like doves behind your veil. Your hair falls in waves, like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead. Your teeth are as white as sheep, recently shorn and freshly washed. Your smile is flawless, each tooth matched with its twin. Your lips are like scarlet ribbon; your mouth is inviting. Your cheeks are like rosy pomegranates behind your veil. Your neck is as beautiful as the tower of David, jeweled with the shields of a thousand heroes. Your breasts are like two fawns, twin fawns of a gazelle grazing among the lilies. Before the dawn breezes blow and the night shadows flee, I will hurry to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense. You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way. Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, come with me from Lebanon. Come down from Mount Amana, from the peaks of Senir and Hermon, where the lions have their dens and leopards live among the hills. You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride. You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes, with a single jewel of your necklace.’ Song of Songs 4:1-9(NLT)

‘For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”’ Zephaniah 3:17(NLT)

Hero, never underestimate how much your wife craves your attention. 

A wife’s heart sings when her husband notices details even she doesn’t notice about herself.

This is what we see in Song of Solomon 4:1-9. It’s a Heroic Focus on his bride, starting with her eyes and going lower and lower. How wonderful! 

You get to cherish your wife and lavish her with your attention. She is worthy of knowing. You love to behold, she loves to be held. 

But the focus of a husband isn’t just sexual. It’s in ordinary moments, too. Those first five minutes coming home from work (or any activity) are crucial. They set the tone for the rest of the evening. 

Heroic Husbands win those moments. They don’t walk through the door while on the phone with someone else. They don’t stay in work mode, dwelling on unfinished projects. Instead, they choose to focus on their bride.

How, then, do you hit the ‘Mute’ button on everything else demanding your attention? How do you offer her an unhurried heart, allowing her to experience the full weight of your attention? Two words: human finitude.

Not what you were expecting? Allow me to explain. Rigged deep into the wiring of men is the yearning to be strong, capable, and competent. We hate to feel useless and weak. This can push us towards a Superman mentality. We try to do it all, to take on the world! But this gets us in trouble. We can’t be all places at once.

Wives who are well attended to have husbands who know their limits. Husbands that gladly admit, “Yeah, I’m no Superman. I can’t do it all. I did my best at work today. Now, I turn my attention elsewhere.” 

That’s Heroic Focus. It takes courage to let things go undone.

Husband, God made you finite on purpose. It’s not a result of the Fall and it’s not changing. You are a human, not Superman. You will never complete the to-do list. There’s not enough time in the day. Nor do you possess an infinite supply of attention. No, you’re working with limited resources.

The question is, how will you spend it? On her, or something else? 

Will you choose heroic focus?

from Heroic Husbandry: Reclaiming Hero Status in Your Marriage

Categories
Devotion for Men ZZ

Hero’s Shield

‘For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.’ Titus 2:11-14(NLT)

My favorite scenes in action movies are when the protagonist begins training to defeat his/her foe. It is during this training that, over time, they transition from zeroes to heroes. I think of Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai or even Po in Kung Fu Panda. I treasure these scenes.

As you train in Heroic Husbandry, there is one skill you must master – grace. Yes, grace. The essence of grace is treating someone better than they deserve. It is crucial to your relationship with your bride!

As you follow Jesus, pay close attention to how He treats you better than you deserve. The more you do, the more you begin to treat your bride better than she deserves in all things, big and small. This is a self-controlled, upright, and godly life. This is Heroic Husbandry.

But this can be hard to do, especially in the face of criticism. How many times have you entered dialogue, fully intending to reconcile things, only to be thrown off the rails by a single, harsh comment by that lovely lady of yours? We’ve all been there. I have.

What we need is a shield.

If I asked you to picture Captain America, you’d probably first picture his shield. He’s known for it. It’s legendary! Bullets, blades, and bad guys hit that shield to no avail. It endures.

You, too, hero, must be known for your shield. Your ‘grace shield’. 

It doesn’t matter how good our intentions are, without a  ‘grace shield’ even mild criticism can render us explosive.

Okay, now picture Thor holding his hammer aloft, lightning surging down from the clouds, entering him, and then thundering out of him. Husband, this is Jesus’ desire for you. (Not that you become the God of Thunder, but that His grace will flow from heaven and bless your bride through you. No matter how many rude remarks, sinful eye-rolls, or distorted facts flung your way, the grace shield endures and God’s power flows – for her sake. 

So, next time a nag comes your way, use your ‘grace shield’. Treat her better than she deserves. 

She may not appreciate it right away, but that’s okay. A real hero doesn’t need to be thanked.

from Heroic Husbandry: Reclaiming Hero Status in Your Marriage

Categories
Devotion for Men ZZ

Hero’s Guide

‘Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well. How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.
Nun
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.’ Psalms 119:97-106(NLT)

I will always remember the day Captain “Sully” famously landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River! People praised him for pulling off an extraordinary task, but he explained it differently: years and years and years of quiet, monotonous study, practice, and teaching safety protocol. When his plane barreled into that flock of geese – which shut off the engines – Sully didn’t frantically search for the manual, screaming, “What do I do?!” He already knew. Sully had every nuanced scenario memorized. It was second nature to him. Anything less than that would’ve spelled disaster for those 155 passengers.

This is a wonderful picture for Heroic Husbandry. Like Sully, we must be the sort of husbands that can handle every situation thrown our way in marriage, because we’ve faithfully studied the manual. The guide. Whether it’s Luke with Yoda or a pirate with his map, every hero has his guide. For Heroic Husbands, our guide is the Bible. 

When we study the Bible, we learn about Jesus – the ultimate Heroic Husband.

But how does one master the Bible like Sully mastered the training manual? 

Not easily, hero. There is no shortcut to learning Scripture just like there’s no easy way to land a plane atop water! But it is possible. It is within your grasp! What’s important is making your commitment today. Even if it’s just five minutes, it counts. It matters. Then stick to it tomorrow.  

Study the Bible more than you ever have. Steep your soul in it. As Horatius Bonar wrote, “Transfuse it through the whole texture of the soul.” In that holy time before His Word, aim for these twin goals: to both know and obey God.

The accumulated time and effort you put in will snowball into something larger. Then when unexpected challenges knock out your engines, you’ll know what to do.

That’s when your wife will notice, and be blessed.

from Heroic Husbandry: Reclaiming Hero Status in Your Marriage

Categories
Devotion for Men ZZ

The Spiritual Guardian

‘If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. ‘ Romans 10:9-10(NLT)

Jesus, the Way to the Father
‘“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? I am going to prepare a place for you. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?” Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.’ John 14:1-31(NLT)

Jesus, the True Vine
‘“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.
The World’s Hatred
“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’ “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.’ John 15:1-27(NLT)

‘“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
“But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged. “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’
Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy
“In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.” Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.” Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.” Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”’ John 16:1-33(NLT)

‘Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.’ Matthew 6:33(NLT)

The last thing I want you to note about the total, spiritual man is that he abhors everything that threatens the welfare of his family. He’ll be cautious about the type of television programs his children watch. He’ll not approve of literature or Internet sites with questionable content nor jokes that imply unkindness or impurity. He’s aware that whatever enters the mind remains there—so he’s careful in choosing what his children can watch and what activities they can engage in. He realizes that if he doesn’t protect his family from the destructive forces of society, no one will.

A spiritual man will also lovingly correct the attitudes and habits that disrupt the harmony of the home. He’ll not act as a policeman, spying on every activity and phone call. But as a caring father, he’ll be actively involved, desiring the best for his family.

No doubt you may question how any man can live up to all these responsibilities. By himself, he cannot. And since no one is perfect, the goal always remains ahead of us. But the possibilities are far greater than most of us can imagine—when we take the right steps.

Do you truly desire to be the husband your wife needs? Do you really want to be the father your children long for? If you’ve read this far, I believe you do.

So where do you begin?

You begin right where you are. If you’ve never received Christ as your Savior through repentance and faith, you begin there. Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (ESV). The first step to becoming the total man, loving husband, and caring father that your family needs is to ask Christ into your life as Savior and Lord. The moment you do, the Holy Spirit will come into your life to abide forever as your Guide, Teacher, Comforter, and Provider (John 14-16).

God has promised to be your constant Helper as a husband and father—have you trusted Him for that? Are you daily reading your Bible, praying, and obeying what He shows you to do? You will not build spiritual muscles without feeding your soul and exercising your spirit. Begin there if that’s where you are. Ask the Lord for a spiritual partner (your wife or a Christian friend) if you need encouragement to walk in God’s path. Seek, ask, and knock persistently … and the Father will open the doors to spiritual power and success (Matt. 6:33).

I challenge you to take one spiritual step toward God today. And in so doing, I have no doubt He will clearly mark your next step to true manhood and godly leadership in your family and home.

from Man Of God by Charles F. Stanley

Categories
Devotion for Men ZZ

The Available Leader

‘Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. ‘ Galatians 6:7(NLT)

The sixth characteristic of the total, spiritual man is that he’s available to share himself with others. Because he’s unselfish, he has a desire to give of himself without expecting anything in return. The joy of giving motivates him to pour himself into his family.

When my children were small, I made an effort to have a brief chat and prayer with them before they went to sleep each night. When they became teenagers, those nightly chats often became much longer and more involved. Because of my schedule, I sometimes missed a session, but not if I could help it. There was something very special about being there to listen to and pray with them shortly before they went to sleep. Because these talks were relaxed and confidential, my children often communicated things that other parents might find surprising. However, they shared because my being there consistently every night communicated to them: I care. I’m interested in you. I love you.

Sharing ourselves with our families is time wisely invested, sure to bring rich rewards. This is because we reap what we sow, more than we sow, and later than we sow (Gal. 6:7). The principle of sowing and reaping applies to families just as much as it does to farming.

Not only should a father share himself with his family, but he should also learn to share his faith with others. A father sharing with his family how the Lord used him to lead someone to Christ does more to motivate them to share their Christian testimonies than all the study courses combined.

By demonstration and by instruction we should also teach our children as early as possible to give offerings in the church—not just to meet a church budget, but as an act of love for God in obedience to His Word. Money is an essential factor in everyone’s life; therefore, the way to handle money is an important lesson for children. Father, the responsibility and opportunity belong to you. When you tithe, you’re investing wisely in the financial and spiritual welfare of your family. And when you experience times of financial difficulty, you can show your children that the strength to persevere and to work through challenging times comes from honoring God in the use of your time and money. These are lessons they will never forget.

Learning to give to God in many different ways can become an exciting family affair. When you recognize a need, pray about what the Father would have you give, and then respond in obedience together, it can be a very joyful and spiritually powerful experience. These lessons, well taught, will provide a lifetime of spiritual and financial guidance for your children.

from Man Of God by Charles F. Stanley

Categories
Devotion for Men ZZ

The Serving Leader

‘God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. ‘ 1 Peter 4:10(NLT)

‘For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. ‘ Hebrews 6:10(NLT)

The fifth thing to notice about the total, spiritual man is that he’s alert to opportunities for service—especially when it comes to his family. It took me a long time to learn this, but when it finally dawned on me that it was my responsibility to minister to my family, my entire life changed.

A spiritually-minded man will always be on the lookout for opportunities to help his family members. Would you like your son to grow up to be the kind of husband who cares for his wife? How’s he going to learn … by reading books? No, by watching his father. A spiritually-minded man has the discernment of the Holy Spirit, and he senses opportunities for serving his wife and children that will help them learn more about the Lord and who they are in Christ.

If we’re open and seeking His guidance, God will show us how to bless our families and help them grow in the wisdom and admonition of the Lord. It’s then our responsibility to submit ourselves to their needs and to see that these needs are being met. Of course, not all opportunities are spiritual—some are quite practical. It may simply be that your daughter needs help with algebra. You may think, My wife can help her. However, your assistance in this practical need has spiritual ramifications. Your daughter needs a tender, caring father because eventually her view of you will impact her attitude toward authority and her understanding of God. 

Dad, you may not know the first thing about algebra, but it’s not how much you know. Rather, it’s your willingness to offer your help that lets your child know that she’s important to you. When she’s confident that she’s significant to you, she’ll also have confidence that she’s valuable to God. And there’s no greater lesson you can teach her or way in which you can minister to her heart with eternal value than that.

from Man Of God by Charles F. Stanley

Categories
Devotion for Men ZZ

Insight in Action

‘I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. ‘ Philippians 1:9-10(NLT)

‘Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.’ Hosea 14:9(NLT)

‘No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.’ John 2:25(NLT)

The fourth essential to becoming the total, spiritual man is an awareness of the spiritual needs of your family. A spiritual man is able to discern beyond what is surface or visible. When he listens to his children, he not only hears what they say, but also discerns how they feel and recognizes when there’s more to what they’re experiencing than what they’re expressing. The Bible says that Jesus confronted people and knew them inside and out (John 2:25). We don’t have Christ’s mind to that degree, but as we grow in Him, we increasingly develop His sensitivity to others’ needs.

A father who’s filled with the Spirit of God can readily discern the basic spiritual needs of his family and look for opportunities to teach them important spiritual principles. He’s also responsible for the spiritual progress of his family. When he sees his children drifting, he encourages them and helps them stay anchored to the solid rock of faith. The man of God also recognizes that his family members need a Christ-centered church where they’re taught Scripture, have fellowship with the people of God, and learn how to share their faith. The right church is your great helper in building the right kind of home.

Many years ago, I met a family that was attending a very liberal and rather spiritually-dead fellowship. They visited our church several Sundays, and I recall being genuinely concerned about their spiritual wellbeing as I talked to them. There were some strong warning signs that all was not right with them. Sadly, the father seemed either unaware of them or unwilling to acknowledge they existed, so I encouraged him to take his family to a Bible-centered church and get involved as soon as possible.

Two years passed before that father took my advice. I can still recall how he and his wife came forward during the invitation one Sunday morning. Tears streaming down their faces, they shared: “Pastor, we finally made the decision to join, but I’m afraid we waited too long.” During those two years, both of their teenagers rebelled, almost wrecking their lives completely.

That kind of procrastination occurs far too often. Being aware of and in tune with the spiritual needs of your family—and taking action when necessary—secures your place as the spiritual leader in your home and protects your family from all that seeks to tear it apart.

from Man Of God by Charles F. Stanley