"Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?' So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” -John 11:40-41
Men, life gets hard and there are so many times where we will have more questions than answers and days where it feels as if our prayers are just hitting the ceiling. There come moments of wondering if God is there at all or if he even cares. There will come times in life where the frustration, pain, and confusion will overtake you and make you feel as if you cannot see past the next minute. Those days come for all of us, guys. Those days feel very dark and gloomy emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. It's a drain on us as human beings for sure. I've felt these days a lot in my life too and have felt caught up in a funk and lost to find my way, calling, and mission in life as I seek to find true fulfillment inside.
Have you had that feeling as if your life navigation system got messed up and the direction you thought your life or day was headed lead somewhere completely different and then those moments of desperation crept in and you didn't know which way to turn in your lost state of mind? Think about these days happening one day in the future while you're trying to lead a family and be strong for them as you lose your job, or your child passes away, or you lose a dear friend, etc. Will you turn away from God or be a rock for those hurting alongside of you when you don't have the words to take the pain away? These things happen all the time in life and that desperate feeling creeps in like a wet blanket on your life. But I'm here to say to you to press on brother! God knows! God hears you whether you think he does or not. If you're mad at God because you don't know the answer, tell him! He can handle it! Stay reverent and respectful but call on him. He promises to hear you.
When Christ was on earth, he prayed this prayer in this verse above that simply says, "I know that you (God) always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here." Christ had so much confidence that his Heavenly Father above would hear his prayer and answer him in his time of need that he prayed out loud for the people around to hear. God says he will do the same thing for us. Don't throw in the towel. Don't give up on God! He surely won't give up on you and he hasn't to this point! Pray that prayer your heart longs to say to God. Be real! Pray an authentic prayer. Rest in the fact that he hears you! You're his son! He knows and cares. God knows your need and he's waiting to hear it from you. This is only a temporary dark season in your life. Remember, "This too shall pass." Giving up on God when life gets hard is cowardly and God made his sons to stand in the face of darkness connected to Heaven's strength. Will you be the man your family can depend on when the problems of life happen? Will you stay rooted in God's love for you? Are you determined to be this man, a God's man?
Don't forget in the darkness what God told you in the light.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Don't Take It Personally
"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." -Proverbs 17:22
You ever walk past a person and say "hi" just to have them totally snub their nose and ignore you as if you didn't matter at all? Or how about when you try to say something nice and positive to that girl and she just rolls her eyes at you and walks away as if you were lower than dirt? Guess what, this is going to happen from time to time in your daily life as you try to show God's love to others. Not everybody is going to have the same positive outlook on life that you have in your heart. This isn't a time to take it personally and start feeling insecure about yourself or a time to start latching on to them as some sort of a pathetic game to gain their approval. Let's face it, some people are rude, tired, mean or just having a bad day. The last thing you need to do is take it as a personal attack against you as a person or better yet, as an attack against you as a man. Yes, the main thing we want from people as men is respect, but not everybody is going to give it or even knows how to give it. If anything, have pity on them for being that way and pray for them and their poor attitude. Just give it to over to God and keep moving forward on your own path in life.
When this happens, it's best to remember that even Jesus was rejected as a man from his own people. Yes, it stings when people reject us but it's best to forgive them and keep moving forward. It's like my father used to tell me, "Son, you have to let the negative comments roll right off your back like water off a duck's back." This will give you more insight with who you should associate with and make friendships with in your life too. If a woman is not going to give you the proper respect as a human being by your trying to make friendly conversation with her, then maybe she's not worth pursuing. There are many negative people in this world. Just be careful that you're coming from a positive place of power and influence when you approach them, not a place of weakness and needing their approval. This is not a manly way to approach anybody. It's very dependent and people will read this, especially a woman who is used to being approached by guys.
Take responsibility for yourself and don't let your day get ruined by those negative people you encounter. You can only control what you do and how you react to those people. You're not going to change them by getting all upset and hurt over it. They don't know you. God knows you and he approves of you. Don't live your life dependent on people's view and expectations for you. Only God's view matters. Say a kind word to someone because God put it on your heart to do so. Take charge and stay on your own path. A smile, a compliment, or a kind gesture can go a long ways to showing someone God's love. This is a positive man quality we should all desire to possess.
Walk with your head high, full of confidence and self-respect. Your compliments will mean more to the people you encounter.
You ever walk past a person and say "hi" just to have them totally snub their nose and ignore you as if you didn't matter at all? Or how about when you try to say something nice and positive to that girl and she just rolls her eyes at you and walks away as if you were lower than dirt? Guess what, this is going to happen from time to time in your daily life as you try to show God's love to others. Not everybody is going to have the same positive outlook on life that you have in your heart. This isn't a time to take it personally and start feeling insecure about yourself or a time to start latching on to them as some sort of a pathetic game to gain their approval. Let's face it, some people are rude, tired, mean or just having a bad day. The last thing you need to do is take it as a personal attack against you as a person or better yet, as an attack against you as a man. Yes, the main thing we want from people as men is respect, but not everybody is going to give it or even knows how to give it. If anything, have pity on them for being that way and pray for them and their poor attitude. Just give it to over to God and keep moving forward on your own path in life.
When this happens, it's best to remember that even Jesus was rejected as a man from his own people. Yes, it stings when people reject us but it's best to forgive them and keep moving forward. It's like my father used to tell me, "Son, you have to let the negative comments roll right off your back like water off a duck's back." This will give you more insight with who you should associate with and make friendships with in your life too. If a woman is not going to give you the proper respect as a human being by your trying to make friendly conversation with her, then maybe she's not worth pursuing. There are many negative people in this world. Just be careful that you're coming from a positive place of power and influence when you approach them, not a place of weakness and needing their approval. This is not a manly way to approach anybody. It's very dependent and people will read this, especially a woman who is used to being approached by guys.
Take responsibility for yourself and don't let your day get ruined by those negative people you encounter. You can only control what you do and how you react to those people. You're not going to change them by getting all upset and hurt over it. They don't know you. God knows you and he approves of you. Don't live your life dependent on people's view and expectations for you. Only God's view matters. Say a kind word to someone because God put it on your heart to do so. Take charge and stay on your own path. A smile, a compliment, or a kind gesture can go a long ways to showing someone God's love. This is a positive man quality we should all desire to possess.
Walk with your head high, full of confidence and self-respect. Your compliments will mean more to the people you encounter.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Confidently Come to God
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." -Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Men, do you know that you are as close to God at this very moment as you choose to be? God has said to us in his word that we have his permission to come to him with a bold confidence and ask for his help in our lives. God will meet you where you're at in your present state. All that you have to do is call on him for his help.
Our Heavenly Father is not some cruel tyrant like the kings of old who would kill you for asking anything of them. God is not some mean dictator trying to control you or beat you down. No, He is loving and merciful and cares about helping you at this very moment as he longs to breath his power into your life. He will show himself and his almighty power through your faults, failures, and weaknesses, making you strong. Why would you neglect such a gift from our loving King of the universe? He made you! He certainly knows how you're wired and how to help you better than anyone, including yourself. Let go of any pride you have that is keeping you from his mercies in your life. Humbly go to him and watch how your life will improve and how strength and hope will arise in you during your current struggle.
God sees your need before you can even ask or think it so why not ask him no matter how insignificant of a request you think it may be? It's not insignificant to him. He sees it all and he wants to empower you today to be the man he created you to be, for him. All you have to do is ask! Practice real manliness by going to your Heavenly Father for help and council. He will honor your cry for help.
God is waiting to be good to you and bestow you with his blessings if you'll humbly, yet boldly ask.
Men, do you know that you are as close to God at this very moment as you choose to be? God has said to us in his word that we have his permission to come to him with a bold confidence and ask for his help in our lives. God will meet you where you're at in your present state. All that you have to do is call on him for his help.
Our Heavenly Father is not some cruel tyrant like the kings of old who would kill you for asking anything of them. God is not some mean dictator trying to control you or beat you down. No, He is loving and merciful and cares about helping you at this very moment as he longs to breath his power into your life. He will show himself and his almighty power through your faults, failures, and weaknesses, making you strong. Why would you neglect such a gift from our loving King of the universe? He made you! He certainly knows how you're wired and how to help you better than anyone, including yourself. Let go of any pride you have that is keeping you from his mercies in your life. Humbly go to him and watch how your life will improve and how strength and hope will arise in you during your current struggle.
God sees your need before you can even ask or think it so why not ask him no matter how insignificant of a request you think it may be? It's not insignificant to him. He sees it all and he wants to empower you today to be the man he created you to be, for him. All you have to do is ask! Practice real manliness by going to your Heavenly Father for help and council. He will honor your cry for help.
God is waiting to be good to you and bestow you with his blessings if you'll humbly, yet boldly ask.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Light It Up
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." -Matthew 5:13-16
As a joke sometimes I'll ask people what their theme song would be if it were playing when they walk into a room? It's a funny thought but what would your song playing say about you to other people? In the same way, when people see and get to know you, can they tell that you're a Christian? Can they see a significant difference in your life by how you treat others, how strong of a work ethic you have, how you respond to tough situations, by what you say to others?
People should tell there's something more going on with you by how you live your life on a daily basis. Of course you won't ever be perfect, but they should see a certain light coming from your life reflecting Christ who lives in your heart. This isn't to show off and be the center of attention as an egomaniac as we all know that person who talks about themselves way too much and seems to think the world revolves around them. Men, don't be this person! These people tend to have some deep seated insecurities that are seeking approval to feel better about themselves. Have you listened to any of today's rap songs? It's mainly weak, insecure boys trying to talk themselves up by how much money they make or girls they sleep with to look better in people's eyes. It's sad really.
Men, you represent the Lord Jesus Christ each day from when you wake up in the morning until you lay your head on your pillow at night. Is your light shining or is it a weak flicker? This passage basically says if people can't see a difference in your life then your testimony is worthless and good for nothing. Be a difference maker as a leader of men. Shine brightly before your peers by constantly looking to God in obedience and what he puts on your heart by showing his love to others through your life. Don't hide your light or the relationship you have with Christ! It's truly a gift and not to be hidden away! This is leadership. This is manly. Start being bold today!
Could people pick you out of a crowd by your positive actions?
As a joke sometimes I'll ask people what their theme song would be if it were playing when they walk into a room? It's a funny thought but what would your song playing say about you to other people? In the same way, when people see and get to know you, can they tell that you're a Christian? Can they see a significant difference in your life by how you treat others, how strong of a work ethic you have, how you respond to tough situations, by what you say to others?
People should tell there's something more going on with you by how you live your life on a daily basis. Of course you won't ever be perfect, but they should see a certain light coming from your life reflecting Christ who lives in your heart. This isn't to show off and be the center of attention as an egomaniac as we all know that person who talks about themselves way too much and seems to think the world revolves around them. Men, don't be this person! These people tend to have some deep seated insecurities that are seeking approval to feel better about themselves. Have you listened to any of today's rap songs? It's mainly weak, insecure boys trying to talk themselves up by how much money they make or girls they sleep with to look better in people's eyes. It's sad really.
Men, you represent the Lord Jesus Christ each day from when you wake up in the morning until you lay your head on your pillow at night. Is your light shining or is it a weak flicker? This passage basically says if people can't see a difference in your life then your testimony is worthless and good for nothing. Be a difference maker as a leader of men. Shine brightly before your peers by constantly looking to God in obedience and what he puts on your heart by showing his love to others through your life. Don't hide your light or the relationship you have with Christ! It's truly a gift and not to be hidden away! This is leadership. This is manly. Start being bold today!
Could people pick you out of a crowd by your positive actions?
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