• Would we have heard so much about David if Saul had not made so many tragic decisions?
• To the end of his life, Saul didn’t get it.  God told him everything everything he needed to do as a new king – he gave Saul instructions and even told him what was going to happen (through Samuel) and still Saul either forgot or didn’t listen.
• Most, if not all of Saul’s bad decisions were made because he didn’t trust the Lord and took things into his own hands.

What about us guys?  How many times have we taken things into our own hands?  How many times have we, our families, our employees, our ministries, and/or our futures been affected by the decision to do it ourselves, rather than trust the Lord? I’m that guy.  I’m the “Get ‘er Done!” guy.  I’m the guy who would rather do something now, than wait and do it later.  I’m the guy that says, “What are we waiting for?“  I’m also the guy who can point to situation after situation that resulted much differently than I had planned, simply because I took things into my own hands.

This doesn’t mean that we should just sit on our hands and do nothing! On the contrary, David sought God’s heart and took action.  David was a man of action.  He didn’t wait. . .unless God told him to do so.  That goes for us as well, you know?  I think that’s why David’s faith seems so wild, so courageous, so alien to us.  When God said “GO!”, David went!  When God said “DO!”, David did!  I think it’s because David completely and solely trusted God.

What about you?  Do you completely and solely trust God?  Would you move if God told you to do so?  Would you change jobs if God gave you the green light?  Would you sell your house and move into a smaller one or give up a day’s wages to serve and help others. . .if God told you to do so?  Would you stay at your job, even if you didn’t want to, simply because God said, “wait?”

When was the last time you asked God what HE wanted you to do?

Sometimes it’s not about the main character . . .or who we think is the main character.  But it’s always about God.

Here’s the cool thing that I piqued my interest – they would meet and have church.  That’s right, in the pursuit of their passion or interest they would have worship, Bible study, pray for one another, and share the gospel – all the things that we do in “church.”

Then it hit me!  How many guys do I know who have definitive interests – fishing, hunting, cycling, motorcycles, lifting weights, running, technology, finances, their jobs, and a bajillion more I just don’t have time to jot down, that could use those gifts, passions, and interests to reach out to other guys?

I remember when I lived in Lufkin, Texas I rode with the Angelina Bike Club.  We met every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday to ride mile after mile together.  Some went to my church, some attended other churches, some didn’t go to church at all.  But cycling was my bridge to this group.  It was what I lived for.  I prayed for them.  I encouraged them.  They encouraged me.  And I got the chance to minister to those guys.

When I moved to Saraland, AL I bought my first Harley.  Man! Did I have a blast using that bike that reach out to people. . .to guys in the same way.  Tom Briand and I went on many a ride on our Harleys.  We prayed together.  We encouraged each other and on several occasions we were able to encourage other guys.

What about you, men?  What’s your passion or interest?  And how can you use it to reach out to the men in your circle of influence?  What if you said something like, “God, I love doing/participating in ________________, I give it to you to reach men who share the same passion.“  Then, you begin open your eyes to who God leads you to.  You may have to join a club or organization.  Maybe not.  You may have to hang out with some guys you normally wouldn’t.  But aren’t those the guys we want to reach anyway?!

If we are going to change our families and communities we are going to have to change the hearts of men.  And that takes men willing to take a risk.  Men who will use their interests, hobbies, and passions to reach out to guys from all walks of life. It will take men who are willing to be bold.  Men who are willing to step out on faith and trust God.

Take the challenge!

Mike

I was recently speaking with a friend of mine about girl-guy relationships. This is a guy that has grown more in his relationship with God over the last year or so, than since becoming a Christ-follower. He’s a great guy – a hard worker, smart, and rides a motorcycle.
We had been talking about purity and how God calls us to remain pure in our girl-guy relationships until the time He unites us in marriage. He struggled with this for a while – like most guys do. As we walked through God’s standard for us as single men and how it is up to us to guard that standard as the spiritual leaders in our relationships he equated his desire for sex to “Snickers Bars.” We laughed, but what a great analogy! It was his way of talking about sex in terms he could understand since he likes Snickers Bars as well.

As I thought about his struggle and his analogy, I realized many of us have our own “Snickers Bars.” Don’t we? It may not be the overwhelming desire to be sexually active in our girl-guy relationships, but it could be our pride, our desire for more toys, pornography, the demanding desire to be in charge/control, our attitudes that we cling to, or our expectations of others. . .you get the picture.

What’s your “Snickers Bar?”

I’m so proud of my friend. He came to me one night and told me how he went to his friend’s house and told her, “No more.” He walked away from his “Snickers Bar.” I’m not sure if their still friends, but I know God loved to see him walk away. He enjoyed watching my friend set the example, not matter how tough it was for him. I know it wasn’t an easy decision for him to make. The decision to put down our “Snickers Bar” is never easy. But I do know he wanted to please God and be obedient. For my friend it meant finding an alternative way of spending his time and a substitute for “Snickers Bar.” If you and I want to please God, as well, we will have to do the same. My buddy did it and I believe with all my heart that God is looking at my friend with an incredibly huge smile and a special place in his heart for him. And God has blessed him with more jobs to do in his side business.

My friend fought for his King and the King’s standard of purity in girl-guy relationships. What a warrior!

What about you? You ready to put down your “Snickers Bar” and follow God? Willing to walk away and walk to God? Are you willing to fight for the heart of your King?

I won’t be easy, but God assures us that He will grant us the grace to see us through. He will be there all the way. Won’t you make the commitment today. . .now?

Mike

I was lead to this question by God during consecutive quiet times just before the new year. Allow me to explain. After Christmas I asked God what He wanted from me this year. Yeah, I know the easy answer – “Your heart!” or “Your life.” or several Sunday School answers. And these wouldn’t be wrong. But that wasn’t what I was looking for, nor was it what God wanted me to discover – at least I don’t think it was.

Instead God lead me to John 6:1-13. It’s a very familiar passage to many of us. Reading it we find that it’s where Jesus feeds the 5,000 (considering all that was recorded were men, estimates are upwards to around 10,000 people). Through this passage there’s a couple of unique lessons God wanted me to learn and I want to share with you as 2008 gets kicked off.

Trust God to provide for you

As we begin reading we are allowed to listen in on Jesus’ conversation with Philip: Hey Phil, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” But we’re also privy to the thoughts of Jesus – He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. You see, God didn’t expect Phil to provide for the people. As a matter of fact Jesus asked him a where question, because Jesus already knew the how. Jesus was simply testing Phil, just like He tests you and me.

Philip’s answer was about the means. . .the how. He responded to Jesus’ question, “No matter how much money we have, it won’t be enough to buy what we need.” Of course looking back we think, what was Phil thinking? This is Jesus. He could do whatever he wanted to! Yet, we often respond like Philip. Ever responded to God like Him, He asks something of you and the first thing you mention is how you can’t do it? He asks you to trust Him and the first thing you do is tell Him how you can’t do something for God.

When we trust God to provide whatever it is we need – peace, love, direction, fellowship, companionship, finances, solutions, etc. – we have to leave the how up to Him. Why? Because He already knows how he will provide. He’s just waiting for you and me to trust Him. Don’t fall into the “How” trap. That is a trap of faithlessness.

Surrender your stuff to God

I’m cleaning out closets and getting rid of a lot of stuff. See, I’m a pack rat. I hate throwing stuff away. Why? You guessed it, I might need it later. Right? You know what I mean?

Listen, God started this process in my heart last year and it’s a lesson I’m still learning – stuff is just stuff. It doesn’t do any good to hold on to it. If you’re thinking its about memories or value or whatever, let me assure you I have plenty of reasons to hang onto stuff. But God has reminded me it’s just stuff. The memories are in my heart and in my mind. They will never go away. And the value – Jesus told us in Matthew 6:19-21 that our hearts shouldn’t be set on the stuff of earth, especially things with monetary value. What if they all burned up in a fire? What would I do then? Where’s the value?

Instead, give your stuff over to God. Remember, though, stuff doesn’t just mean our physical goods. It means our abilities, our passions, our giftedness, our fears, our situations, our relationships. I told God I would turn my teaching abilities, my limited writing experience, my desire to read and study His Word, my ministries, my relationships, my marriage, my fears, my anxieties, my emotions (especially my anger and temper), my feelings all over to Him. Yeah, there’s some big things in there, but there’s also some things that I would consider little things or maybe not as consequential as others. That’s what God is waiting for you know?

Reading the passage in John we find a little boy gave up his 5 biscuits and 2 sardines. This was probably all he had. Barley loaves and fish were the food of the poor, so this wasn’t donated out of extravagance. It wasn’t like the boy said, “Here, take this, I’ve got plenty!” No, it was probably all he had. I wonder, was he the only person in the entire crowd that had food? If he wasn’t, then why didn’t others give up their meals? Probably for the same reason we don’t: It’s all I’ve got! If I give it I’ll have nothing. Yet a child said here, take it.
It’s like that with our stuff. God is wanting what you have. No guarantees. The boy had no guarantee that he would get any of the food back. But it didn’t stop him from giving it up.

Thank God for everything, even the small stuff

When Jesus received the biscuits and fish the first thing He did (after having the people sit down) was to thank God for it. It was all there was, nothing more. Just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Yet, Christ raised it up and thanked God for what He had provided. Jesus didn’t question God. He didn’t complain about what He didn’t have. He thanked God for the little bit they did have.

I have to say, this is the most difficult lesson for me to accept. I struggle with the stuff I don’t have. I complain, whine, cry, and plead with God for the stuff I don’t have – like enough money to pay bills, rather than thank Him for the house I have, the fact that I haven’t been late paying any of our bills, for a wonderfully supportive wife, clothes to wear, food to eat, opportunity to trust Him and grow in my faith, a loving family, I could go on, but there’s no need.

What about you? Do you complain to God for what you don’t have or thank God for what you do have – no matter how small or insignificant it appears to be?

Expect God to do the impossible in and through you -

When Jesus distributed the bread I think He knew that everyone there would eat well. John tells us that when they had enough to eat – i.e., when everyone was full – they gathered 12 baskets of leftovers. Wouldn’t that be the coolest thing? Watch Jesus lift up a handful of food and then watch everyone eat until they’re satisfied? OH MAN!!

Getting back to that little boy – I wonder if 5 biscuits and 2 sardines would have filled him up? Don’t know. But I do know he at to his heart’s content. I also wonder what he thought has he saw his “little” donation go farther and farther and farther and. . .?

Do you expect God to do the impossible in and through you? Do your pray believing? Do you surrender and trust believing? Jesus reminded us “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27). Do you want God to do the impossible in and through you? I tend to think there’s a lot of us who want the comfort and security we have now rather than risking letting go of it so we can He can bless us with an armful.

I’m expecting God to do something powerful in and through me this year. There’s a lot I could accomplish and do in my power, but I learning to want and desire the impossibilities of God. I hope you will, too.

Mike

I have to be quite honest here, I hate to wait. I never went to Six Flags with Karen because I think it’s ridiculous to pay that much money to wait in line and sweat I’m the kind of guy who, when he gets an idea wants to go for it. . .let’s get it done. . .let’s make it happen! That’s how, in some way, I saw my role as an associate pastor – I’m the guy who makes it happen. I love making things happen. I cherish the thought of being the go to guy when something needs to get done.

But God has other ideas of what I should do right now. Instead of taking the lead and getting the ministry up and running, God is saying “wait.” Now I know that waiting on God is not a bad thing. In fact there are several passages of Scripture that encourage us to wait on God. They remind us that there are benefits in waiting on God.

• Genesis tells of us Abraham’s waiting 25 years for a son God promised him. Abraham was 75 when God made that promise
• David wandered around a bunch of caves and waited for about 10 years for God to place him on the throne of Israel
• The people of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years waiting for the promise land (yes, their wandering was due to their sin, but they still had to wait)
• There are also words of encouragement and blessing for those who wait

• Isaiah 30:18
• Psalm 27:14
• Psalm 33:20
• Psalm 40:1
• Isaiah 64:4

Yes, God’s Word is full of benefits and encouragement to wait upon the Lord. And, yes, I don’t like to wait. But, if I want what’s best for me, then I will wait. Ancy, yes, but, again, I will wait. I could move forward, but it would be in my power, my timing, and my idea of how things should be done. The best thing for me to do is to focus on God, His promises, His faithfulness, and His will. I also need to confess and submit any anxiety I feel in waiting on the Lord. Then I will rest in the assurance that His timing is never early and definitely never late.

I don’t like to wait because I’m impatient and I like to be in control. So why don’t you like to wait? Is it control? Is it a “get er done!” attitude? Is it patience? Is it something else. It takes a lot of guts to deny your own desires and nature and wait on someone else. I’m trying and would appreciate your prayers. Do you have the guts?

Waiting and Wondering,

Mike

You know what I mean, for some it’s alcohol, or drugs, or gossiping, or pornography, or lust, or adultery, or over spending & credit card issues. Some of you may be struggling with exaggeration – your story always seems to become more grandiose when you tell it, or your attitude sucks and it’s a constant battle not to allow it to control you. Whatever it is, it’s a battle. And if you’re like me you feel the battle constantly raging inside of you.

I just want to encourage you in the midst of your battle. First, even guys like Paul, who wrote two-thirds of the New Testament, struggled. Listen to his words found in the seventh chapter of Romans,

So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. (v. 14-25)

Do you get a sense that Paul knows exactly what it feels like to struggle in your walk with the Lord? I do. I also know that in the midst of his struggle he found a marvelous nugget of truth that we all could remember – “Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” That’s right. Paul knew it and now you know it. Your answer lies in your relationship with Christ.

In Chapter 8 Paul tells us that in Christ we are set free from being slaves to our sinful nature. Did you get this? It’s incredible! If you have Christ as Lord of your life, you have been set free to live in the Spirit of God and not in the spirit of your sinful nature. You are no longer a salve to you sinful nature – to your struggle, but a free man in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Jesus said that if the Son has set you free, you are free indeed (John 8:36). So you are no longer slaves, but free men. Free to live in the power and the Spirit of God, the one who set you free!

Second, you don’t have to let that struggle defeat you. I have to admit that I lose to my struggle at times. My struggle, you ask? Lust and pornography. I flirted with pornography while I was living the life of an ungodly man. Let me tell you something, that stuff stays with you for years. It’s one battle that will not let go. Just when I think I’ve got it conquered, something happens and the temptations come at me like a tsunami. So I struggle and battle and sometimes scratch and claw my way through the enemy. I don’t always win as anyone with a life-struggle knows.
But I do know this – God is in control and He has given me the Spirit of love, of power, and self discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). I don’t have to let my struggles rule over me. They don’t have to have control and conquer me. Everyday I wake up I know that God is in control and the power He gave Jesus is also mine to overcome, to win, to be a victor. And through my faith in Jesus I can overcome. I can live a life of victory. (1 John 5:4-5)

Each morning when our feet hit the floor we should be giving our battle to the Lord. Asking Him to fill us with His Spirit, His power, His love, His desire for us to be more than conquerors. We need to stop being prepared for the battle and suit up the first thing every morning. The very morning you forget to prepare will be the morning the enemy will win.

So go live the victorious life. Don’t give in to your struggles. I know the battle can be tough, but you don’t fight alone.

Your comrade in arms,

Mike

This has been a journey in the process. I have been praying about this for several months now and believe this is God’s plan for me and ManHeart Ministries. I am very encouraged by the response I have received from members of North Mobile and others as I share the vision of the ministry.
So how am I doing? I’m scared! Actually, I’m scared out of my wits. Many people have shared how they admire my faith. Then again, it’s not them jumping off the cliff onto the invisible bridge, ala Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. As I shared with the congregation on Sunday, God has really been challenging me about stepping out and believing in Him alone. I ran across this quote not too long ago during my study on faith and God has used it to remind me that He alone is to be God.

“It’s not faith until it’s all you have to hold on to.”

So. . .with all the faith I can muster I am stepping out to pursue God’s calling for this new ministry. Please pray for me, the ministry, and those God is calling to come alongside me as my leadership team.

Feel free to contact me or leave me a comment.

Mike

Elijah, what a man of GOD. 1 Kings 18 records his showdown with the prophets of Baal – one man against 850 pagan prophets. For some reason i can see Clint Eastwood playing the role of Elijah. Here he is sending Obadiah to go fetch Ahab, reasurring him that he’ll be right here, he ain’t goin’ nowhere.

When Ahab shows up and tries to blame Elijah for Israel’s troubles Elijah holds his ground. He’s not quakin’ in his boots. Then again why should he? He’s standing for truth. . .for GOD. Instead of trembling with fear, Elijah confronts Ahab with the truth of his actions. It is Ahab and his family that has brought trouble upon the folks of Israel. They are the ones who have abandoned GOD’s commands and pursued the Baals. For some strange reason I see Elijah’s eyes squinting, head cocked to the side just a little, hair gently blowing in the breeze as he confidently confronts Ahab.

Then Elijah calls him out!! He wants a showdown – cue background music, think the whistle from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. So everyone gathers at Mt Carmel – Elijah, prophets of Baal (all 850 of them), the folks of Israel, and Ahab.

Remember, not only was Elijah confronting Ahab and the prophets of Baal, but he confronted the people of Israel – “How long will you waiver between two opinions? If the LORD is GOD, follow him; but if Baal is GOD, follow him” (v. 21). And the people said nothing. I imagine they ducked their heads, shuffled their feet in the dirt, and gathers their children in front of them, as though they were using them to hide behind.

So the showdown takes place. The prophets of Baal get the pick of the bulls to sacrifice and offer up to Baal. By the end of the day nothing has happened. All they are left with is a smelly, fly-infested offering, bleeding and bruised bodies from where they have beat and cut themselves to get Baal’s attention, and beat up pride and egos from Elijah’s public and open taunting – all day long!

Then. . .cue music. . .Elijah takes his place. He rebuilds the altar, offers up the leftover bull as a sacrifice to the LORD, He commands that water be poured over the entire altar and offering until the trenches around the altar are full. Then he prays to the GOD of heaven. What happens next is truly amazing. The fire of the LORD burns up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil. It even laps up the water around the altar. Want to imagine with me the look on the faces of the prophets of Baal, Ahab, and the folks of Israel? Oh my, oh my.

GOD’s Word says that the folks from Israel fell to their faces and worshipped GOD and the prophets of Baal went down – literally. Elijah commanded that not one of them should live.

Boldness. . . Guts. . .GOD – that’s how you become a man of GOD. We can’t do it on our own, but we play a part. We have to decide to fight for the heart of our King. We have to pick up our sword, even when no one around us will fight.

What about you? Picked up your sword today? Willing to fight for the heart of your King? Want to see GOD do something amazing?

Boldness. . .Guts. . .GOD – that’s how it happens.

Mike

In Numbers 13:30 & 14:6-9 we get a full-blown, unobstructed view of what it looks like to pick up our sword and fight for our King.

13:30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

14:6-9 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Hope you didn’t miss it, but in case you did let me help. First, Caleb stood against his peers. These weren’t run of the mill Israelites (if there is such a thing). These were leaders from the 12 tribes of Judah – hand picked by Moses himself. These were men of esteem, men of wisdom, men who could be trusted. But when they saw the people of Canaan, they gave in to their fears and gave the people of Israel a bad report and eventually persuaded the Israelites to rebel against Moses and ultimately God. Then Joshua steps up. I love it. With confidence to spare – not in himself, but in his God – he tells the people that they should go up and take the land – take possession of it. As in, it will be ours, not theirs. As in, we will overcome whatever and whoever is in our way. As in, we shouldn’t care who owns the land now, we CAN do it! His entire report is the complete opposite of these men of renown.

Then Caleb stands against the people. When only two guys – Moses and Aaron – are hurt by the people’s rebellious attitude, Caleb, along with Joshua, join them. He stands when no one else will. He stands for God and against an entire nation. Now this is what it looks like to take up your sword and fight for the heart of your King when all those around you are running. Why were they running from their inheritance? One word – FEAR! But Caleb didn’t give in to fear. He didn’t give in because he didn’t see giants he saw God. Caleb knew and trusted God’s power – his ability – to overcome the giants of the land flowing with milk and honey. He didn’t give in to his fears – I don’t even know if he was afraid. Maybe he was. Maybe he wasn’t any different than ten of the other men that went on that trip. Maybe he wasn’t any different than me and you. Maybe. . .Then again, Caleb also knew of the incredible power of God. Instead of seeing giants he saw God. He saw the God of deliverance – the God that brought them out of Egypt and across the Red Sea. He saw the God who goes with us – and provides for our needs just like He provided food, meat, and water for the Israelites throughout their journey. He saw the God of protection. He saw God!

So how do you get to this point in your life with God. That’s a great question. In Joshua 14:9 and 13-14 we get a hint of what it takes. Joshua is dolling out the land to each of the tribes and Caleb comes to Joshua to collect his inheritance. Read these words.

9 That was the day that Moses solemnly promised, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance, you and your children’s, forever. Yes, you have lived totally for God.’

13-14 Joshua blessed him. He gave Hebron to Caleb son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. Hebron belongs to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite still today, because he gave himself totally to God, the God of Israel.

Twice during Caleb’s conversation with Joshua he is referred to as a man who gave himself totally to God. Want to be a Caleb? Want to get past your fears? What to overcome the giants in your life? Want to see God in your situations? Do what Caleb had learned to do – give yourself totally to God. Don’t hold anything back. It doesn’t matter what you think you must have control of – turn it over to God. This is what it looks like when we come under the LORDship of God. This is what is looks like when we place ourselves under God’s authority.
Caleb, what a man! A man of vision – for he saw God instead of his fears. A man of God – he gave himself totally to God.

What about you? What are your fears? What are the giants in your life? What’s getting in your way of seeing God – protector, deliverer, provider, King of heaven and earth? What’s keeping you from giving yourself totally to God today. Do you want to see God instead of your giants?
Take some time to list your fears. . .to answer the hard questions. Ask your wife. She’ll definitely let you know. Ask other godly men who know you and your heart. Then open yourself up to God. Confess those fears and ask God show Himself afresh to you right now.

Me – my giant is trusting God to provide. It’s such a giant in my life right now that I can’t see the God who has, time and time again, provided for my every need. I weep at times because of my lack of faith. My fear shoves me into the closet so I can’t be used of God. I’m working through this with God as I write this. I want to fight for the heart of my King and to be a man with a heart for God! Join me!!

Max makes some statements about faith, that, as I pondered them, really helped me.  Allow me to share them with you.

• Faith is the conviction that Jesus can and a hope that He will.
• Faith is not (my emphasis) the belief that God will do what you want, but that He will do what is right.
• Faith is the belief that God is real and God is good.

Then I got to thinking . . . why is it so difficult for us men to have the kind of faith that allows our lives to intersect with God’s power?  Why don’t we trust God for everything in our lives – relationships, attitudes, finances, job, hobbies, children. . .you get the picture?  I think it has to do with our pride and our culture.

Our pride and our culture are inter-linked.  Our pride tells us we don’t need someone else’s help.  Our pride makes us a spiritual island.  Our pride makes us devoid of God’s power.  Our pride blinds us to our need – Jesus.  But, we give in to it. . .we protect it. . .we cherish it.  We polish it, love it, lean on it, trust in it, and allow it to control us.

Our culture, better yet, generationally we have taught our boys and young men that real men don’t need any help.  Real men pull themselves up by their own boot straps.  Real men suck it up. . .walk it off. . .don’t rub it. . .don’t cry. . .are strong. . .yadda, yadda, yadda.  Hey guys!  That’s a load of crap and don’t buy into it.  I remember when I used to think that I did everything myself.  I even remember telling my mom that all I had was because of all I did.  I worked for it.  I earned it.  I paid for it.  What a foolish little man I was.
Within the pages of the Bible we find a man who tried to take on life on his own.  Saul wouldn’t wait for Samuel to offer the sacrifice before they fought with the Philistines, so he did it himself.  Oooo, bad move.  After than God removed His hand from Saul.  It wasn’t Saul’s place to offer the burnt offering.  Besides, where was his faith in his LORD – the same LORD who set him apart as king of Israel?  Saul missed out on God’s power because of his fear. . .his pride.
When we try to do things ourselves – apart from God – we miss out on experiencing the power of Jesus.  I’m not sure God will remove His hand from you, but I do know from personal experience that you will not know of His incredible power.

Men, don’t allow your pride, our culture, your father or your father’s father tell you that you have to do things on your own.  YOU DON’T!!  Faith – it means trusting God’s heart, even when you can’t see His hand.  Faith – it’s putting trust into action.  Faith – it’s believing God wants the best for you.  Faith – allows you to see God move in and around you in the most incredible of ways.  Faith – don’t miss it!

Mike