Category: ZZ

‘So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. ‘ Ephesians 5:15-17(NLT)

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

‘For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her ‘ Ephesians 5:25(NLT)

Devotional Content:

There was a time early in our marriage that my priority was me. I said yes to every committee and board that I was asked to be a part of. There were weeks that I had something to do almost every night. I justified it all because the things that I was involved in were good things. Some things had to do with the church. Other things had to do with the business I was involved with at that time. Then there were the civic activities I was a part of. I was building this great resume and at the same, failing at the commitment I made before any of these others: my marriage.  

You may be able to do all the above and still put God and your marriage first but I couldn’t. I didn’t. Every time I said “yes” to something, I was saying “no” to time with Nancy. Our marriage was headed for a train wreck if something did not change. Thankfully, it did change, or I did. I heard what Nancy was saying to me and made the decision to say “yes” to her and “no” to all the other things. It took a few months but I got off of every committee or board that met at night. I had a wife and kids and I chose to be home at night. It was a big first step for me as I began putting things in the right order. My marriage began to grow. God led me away from business and into ministry. My focus changed and my life finally had the balance it needed. Learning to say “yes” to the important things in life was a life and marriage changer.

Today’s Challenge:

1. What are your top three priorities today?
2. What are you saying “yes” to today that you need to say “no” to tomorrow?
3. In the big picture, what does “winning” look like to you?

Going Deeper:

As you look back over the past six days of this plan, what is your biggest takeaway and how will it affect you and your spouse in the future?

from “Fighting to be a Man of God”

‘People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.’ Proverbs 28:13(NLT)

‘Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. ‘ James 5:16(NLT)

‘Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.’ James 1:14-15(NLT)

‘Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. ‘ 2 Timothy 2:15(NLT)

Devotional Content:

I have never counseled a man who told me he walked out of the house one morning and decided to screw up his life, his marriage, and his family, but I have counseled many men who did just that. It almost never happens with one big giant step. Instead it is the small steps – almost baby steps – that take us from where we are to where we never thought we would go. We could stop taking the steps at any time, but we don’t and then we end up in a mess that we cannot find our way out of. Pastor Craig says that sin is progressive. That’s the picture we have here: Progressive sin.  

If this path of sin is truly progressive, that means we have many opportunities along the road to stop it. Here are some things for you to think about:

• Get ahead of the game. Put safeguards in place before you need them. That may be an accountability partner, altering travel plans, or eliminating access to certain things on your mobile device.
• Make a commitment to be faithful to your spouse in every way and never compromise that commitment.
• If you take a baby step, stop at step one.
• Be open and transparent. Pastor Craig says that “sin grows best in the dark.”
• Pray that your sexual desires will be for your spouse only.

Today’s Challenge:

1. Pray for God to bring a man into your life that you can be mutually accountable with.
2. Is there something you need to stop today?  
3. What can you do to protect yourself from your areas of vulnerability?

Going Deeper:

The small steps are there every day for you to take. Pray that God will equip you to resist temptation and take big steps away instead of small steps towards your vulnerabilities.

from “Fighting to be a Man of God”

‘For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.’ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8(NLT)

‘Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.’ Proverbs 29:11(NLT)

‘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.’ Ephesians 4:26-27(NLT)

Devotional Content:

The first time that I saw my granddad cry was the night he told me that his mother had just died.  I was about six years old. My granddad was my hero. He taught me everything from how to build things, to farming, to the importance of having Jesus in my life. This big strong man came and sat on the edge of my bed that night with tears in his eyes, and told me of his sadness. I have never forgotten that night. The impact was profound. It was a few years later that I was sad and tears began to stream down my cheeks. I was with some friends but I never flinched. Crying was okay. It was not until I was much older that I realized what a gift my grandad gave me.  

There is all this confusion in men about their emotions. When is it okay to show them? Are some emotions good and others bad? What does it mean to be led by the Spirit and not driven by our emotions? 

Here is my take of these questions. First, I believe all emotions come from God. Therefore, the emotion itself is neither good or bad; it is how we choose to express the emotion that can be good or bad. If I am angry at someone and ask them to talk it through with me, that would be a good way to handle my anger. On the other hand, if I just start hitting the person, that would be a bad way to handle it. I think the Holy Spirit is there, ready and waiting to help us handle our emotions in a way that honors God. He is right there and ready to jump in. We just have to ask Him.

Today’s Challenge:

1. What emotions do you need to express in healthy ways that would be good for you and those around you?
2. When are you vulnerable to being driven by your emotions?
3. Is there an emotion in your life that is out of control? If so, will you reach out for help today?

Going Deeper:

List the three emotions that you experience the most. Now prayerfully examine each of these before God. Ask His wisdom in handling each of these emotions in a way that honors Him.

from “Fighting to be a Man of God”

‘Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ‘ Philippians 2:3(NLT)

‘Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.’ Proverbs 16:18(NLT)

‘When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.’ Galatians 5:19-21(NLT)

‘Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. ‘ 1 Corinthians 6:18(NLT)

Devotional Content:

Samson had three big issues that caused his demise. They were pride, lust, and entitlement.  Honestly, I cannot think of a man I know or have known who did not deal with at least one of these. In fact, most of us deal with all three. I believe that dealing with these is not a “one and done” thing. We must continue to deal with them. Every time I think I have gotten control of my pride, it jumps out at me again. Lust is such a big part of our culture that it attacks us from all directions every day. Finally, entitlement is a never ending battle inside of us. 

This is my take on the “Big Three.” As long as we say they don’t affect us, they will. Acting like they do not exist for us is simply an act of lying to ourselves. Acknowledging that we need help is our first step. Until we admit that we are vulnerable, we are just fooling ourselves. It’s interesting isn’t it? We become strong by admitting that we have a weakness. It’s not managing the temptations. Instead, it’s starting a consistent battle to eliminate them from our lives. 

Today’s Challenge:

1. Of pride, lust, and entitlement, which of the “Big Three” is the biggest issue for you?
2. What are you doing to deal with these issues is your life?
3. What is the difference between “managing temptation” and “eliminating it?”

Going Deeper:

List out the areas where you are most vulnerable. What is your first step in getting the help you need?

from “Fighting to be a Man of God”

‘Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. ‘ James 1:19-20(NLT)

‘Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.’ Proverbs 16:31(NLT)

‘Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.’ Proverbs 29:11(NLT)

Devotional Content:

There are times that I think anger in men is an epidemic. I seem to run into angry men everywhere I go. Many of us live with our anger so close to the surface that it is just waiting for an opportunity to jump out and take over. Have you ever been surprised by your anger? Have you ever felt you were watching a crazed person acting out their anger, and then realized it was you? Has your anger ever caused your spouse to be fearful? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, or even if you had to think twice before you answered, it may be time to deal with your anger. 

Pastor Craig says that his experience tells him most men are really angry at themselves. Let that sink in for a moment. Is there any truth in that for you? Is it time to take that first step in dealing with your anger by admitting that you have a problem? Remember, getting help is not a sign of weakness but truly a sign of strength.

Today’s Challenge:

1. How does your anger affect you, your spouse, and your kids?
2. If you ask yourself, “why am I frustrated?” what is your answer?
3. If you have an anger problem, will you reach out for help today?

Going Deeper:

What is the cause that God is calling you to fight for? If nothing comes to your mind, commit to pray this prayer daily for thirty days: Father, I want a cause to believe in and to fight for. Please lead me to the cause you have for me. Thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

from “Fighting to be a Man of God”

‘Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. ‘ 1 Corinthians 16:13(NLT)

‘Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ‘ Philippians 2:3(NLT)

‘Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude’ Psalms 62:5-8(NLT)

‘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. ‘ John 15:4-5(NLT)

‘This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”’ Joshua 1:9(NLT)

Devotional Content:

What does it really mean to have the heart of a warrior? That is a challenge for me. I like the idea of being a fighter and going to battle, but often the images in my mind are different than truly being a warrior for God. If I am fighting self-defined battles, my tendency is to be selfish. I fight for what I want instead of making sure I am fighting for what God wants. Being a warrior for God really involves fighting for something that is much greater than myself. Fighting for Him means I fight the battles that truly matter and in that fight, I follow Jesus’s example. That can also be tough because Jesus led like a servant and ultimately laid down His life for me. So if I am to fight like Jesus, I have to be willing to do the same as He did. The good news is that I don’t have to do it in my own power and my own strength. Jesus is right there fighting by my side and I have His power and His strength. Each day as I fight for something great for my marriage and my family, He is right there with me. With Jesus at my side, I will win the battle day after day after day! So will you!

Today’s Challenge:

1. What does it mean to you to “fight for something greater than yourself?”
2. Today, what is the battle you are fighting that matters the most? How can you bring God into the battle?
3. What does it mean to you to be a servant leader?

Going Deeper:

Pastor Craig says that we do not have to fight “in our own strength.” How does that play out for you in the battles you face daily?

from “Fighting to be a Man of God”