May 9, 2022
WHAT IS A GOOD MAN?
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NIV
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10 NIV
Most of the people God used to build His kingdom and spread His message were flawed, imperfect, and constantly failing individuals.
Thomas was a doubter.
Peter was a liar.
David was an adulterer.
John the Baptist was crazy.
Paul was a murderer.
And through this, through their stories of imperfectly following God, I discovered good men aren’t perfect men. Being a good man isn’t the absence of failing; instead, it’s the determination to decide, and keep on deciding, to get up and continue on.
For a long time, I’ve wrestled with this notion of what a good man is and how I can become one. Eventually, when it was evident the modern world didn’t have the answers, I turned to the Creator of men to see if maybe there, in His words, I could find a more satisfying and complete picture of who I was trying so hard to become. I went through history and looked at the men who made a positive difference in the world, and I looked at the men in my own life who I considered to be good men. Then I began piecing together a new image of what a good man might truly be.
What I found in my search was a whole new image of what this man looks like.
Each man I looked at—whether from the Bible, history, or my own life—was very human. He struggled and failed. He had broken places in his heart and mind. Some were physically weak, and others fought addictions and moral failures. They didn’t look alike; some had beards and low voices, some were clean shaven (crazy, I know), and some couldn’t speak at all.
So often in Scripture I found that what makes a man is not his outward appearance but his inward heart position. His desire and dedication to pursue (even imperfectly) attributes that mimic God Himself, including unconditional love, generosity, wisdom, forgiveness, the list goes on. God says in the Old Testament, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
This more elusive but authentic image of a good man is a far cry from the destructive and often toxic image of the “modern man” we have come to know. But that image is one we ought to leave behind in order to take up a new one—a better, truer one.
Have you ever felt the desire to be a good man, to live for something greater than yourself and be a part of an epic story? If so, when do you first remember feeling this?
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10 NIV
Most of the people God used to build His kingdom and spread His message were flawed, imperfect, and constantly failing individuals.
Thomas was a doubter.
Peter was a liar.
David was an adulterer.
John the Baptist was crazy.
Paul was a murderer.
And through this, through their stories of imperfectly following God, I discovered good men aren’t perfect men. Being a good man isn’t the absence of failing; instead, it’s the determination to decide, and keep on deciding, to get up and continue on.
For a long time, I’ve wrestled with this notion of what a good man is and how I can become one. Eventually, when it was evident the modern world didn’t have the answers, I turned to the Creator of men to see if maybe there, in His words, I could find a more satisfying and complete picture of who I was trying so hard to become. I went through history and looked at the men who made a positive difference in the world, and I looked at the men in my own life who I considered to be good men. Then I began piecing together a new image of what a good man might truly be.
What I found in my search was a whole new image of what this man looks like.
Each man I looked at—whether from the Bible, history, or my own life—was very human. He struggled and failed. He had broken places in his heart and mind. Some were physically weak, and others fought addictions and moral failures. They didn’t look alike; some had beards and low voices, some were clean shaven (crazy, I know), and some couldn’t speak at all.
So often in Scripture I found that what makes a man is not his outward appearance but his inward heart position. His desire and dedication to pursue (even imperfectly) attributes that mimic God Himself, including unconditional love, generosity, wisdom, forgiveness, the list goes on. God says in the Old Testament, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
This more elusive but authentic image of a good man is a far cry from the destructive and often toxic image of the “modern man” we have come to know. But that image is one we ought to leave behind in order to take up a new one—a better, truer one.
Have you ever felt the desire to be a good man, to live for something greater than yourself and be a part of an epic story? If so, when do you first remember feeling this?
March 21, 2022
You will receive power
Acts 1:6–11
Many men resonate with the idea of having power. Think of all the movies that have powerful men at the center. These movies do well at the box office because they fulfill our desire for raw, physical power, the ability to accomplish something great no matter what kind of obstacles block our way.
This desire is reflected in the question that Jesus’ disciples posed in Acts 1:6. The “kingdom” they were interested in was one of political and military power. During the time when these verses were written, the power of the Romans had dominated the Jewish world for many decades. But Israel had been occupied before, and the last time this had happened, a group of Jewish rebels had thrown out the invaders by force. The disciples wondered if Jesus was planning something just as heroic, something that would show them and the world the kind of stuff they were made of.
Fortunately, Jesus’ vision of power was of a different sort. They would “receive” power, but it wasn’t power for political dominance, military conflicts, or fistfights. It was the power of the Holy Spirit—God dwelling within them and transforming them. And part of this power meant being equipped to be witnesses (v. 8).
Witnessing can sound intimidating or even undesirable. But later in Acts, it becomes apparent that witnessing means being changed by God and being able to direct other people to the source of that change. In chapter 4, a crowd of listeners is astounded when they hear the witness of Peter and John, who are known to be “uneducated” and common men, but who speak with “boldness” (4:13). The fact that Peter and John overcome challenges like a lack of education (and, doubtless, their fear of public speaking!) is a testimony in itself—that God enables people of all sizes, backgrounds, ages, and temperaments to do what they otherwise cannot or will not do.
The movies with raw, physical power emphasize being strong, daring, young, or handsome, and for those who don’t meet those criteria, it’s easy to feel shut out. But the comfort of the power of the Holy Spirit is that it begins not with our natural abilities but with looking outside of ourselves. Just as a witness in a courtroom is most powerful when he is describing truthfully the events that he has seen or heard, the followers of Jesus are given power to speak of the transformation that God has worked in them.
This desire is reflected in the question that Jesus’ disciples posed in Acts 1:6. The “kingdom” they were interested in was one of political and military power. During the time when these verses were written, the power of the Romans had dominated the Jewish world for many decades. But Israel had been occupied before, and the last time this had happened, a group of Jewish rebels had thrown out the invaders by force. The disciples wondered if Jesus was planning something just as heroic, something that would show them and the world the kind of stuff they were made of.
Fortunately, Jesus’ vision of power was of a different sort. They would “receive” power, but it wasn’t power for political dominance, military conflicts, or fistfights. It was the power of the Holy Spirit—God dwelling within them and transforming them. And part of this power meant being equipped to be witnesses (v. 8).
Witnessing can sound intimidating or even undesirable. But later in Acts, it becomes apparent that witnessing means being changed by God and being able to direct other people to the source of that change. In chapter 4, a crowd of listeners is astounded when they hear the witness of Peter and John, who are known to be “uneducated” and common men, but who speak with “boldness” (4:13). The fact that Peter and John overcome challenges like a lack of education (and, doubtless, their fear of public speaking!) is a testimony in itself—that God enables people of all sizes, backgrounds, ages, and temperaments to do what they otherwise cannot or will not do.
The movies with raw, physical power emphasize being strong, daring, young, or handsome, and for those who don’t meet those criteria, it’s easy to feel shut out. But the comfort of the power of the Holy Spirit is that it begins not with our natural abilities but with looking outside of ourselves. Just as a witness in a courtroom is most powerful when he is describing truthfully the events that he has seen or heard, the followers of Jesus are given power to speak of the transformation that God has worked in them.
March 8, 2022
OFFENSE/DEFENSE
Professional team sports are a mainstay in our culture’s entertainment. There’s a strong likelihood that you follow at least one sport, even in the offseason. Whether eleven on the football field, nine on the baseball diamond, five on the court, or even the one NASCAR driver with the pit crew looking on, offense and defense are equally crucial aspects in any sport. A team can have an amazing offense, but if there is a weak defense, they can still lose. And vice versa. We all know that consistent winners score points on offense and stop points on defense.
God through His Word has given us thousands of life principles to live by—for offense and defense. Here are three examples:
In personal purity:
Offense—Psalm 51:10: Create in me a pure heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Defense—Psalm 119:37, 39: Turn my eyes from worthless things … Help me abandon my shameful ways.
“Create” and “renew” are proactive words of offense, while “turn my eyes” and “help me abandon” are phrases of defense. These prayers ask God, paraphrasing, “help me begin these activities, while helping me stop these others.” Change always requires starting new things while simultaneously stopping or ending old things. God will provide His “new” to replace the “old” we give up. Offense leads us into good and defense helps us stay away from evil.
In your relationships:
Offense—Proverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Defense—Proverbs 3:27: Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
Spiritual sharpening is offense, while being careful to not withhold good is defense.
In spiritual growth:
Offense—Psalm 46:10: Be still, and know that I am God!
Defense—Ephesians 4:31: Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
As your defense “gets rid of,” your offense can “be still and know.”
This offense/defense strategy is essentially a Bible study method that can help you place spiritual principles into your life. Anywhere you have temptations or struggles and want to engage new patterns of behavior, find offensive and defensive Scriptures to support you.
Find and write down a favorite verse that best describes your spiritual offense for where you are in your life right now.
God through His Word has given us thousands of life principles to live by—for offense and defense. Here are three examples:
In personal purity:
Offense—Psalm 51:10: Create in me a pure heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Defense—Psalm 119:37, 39: Turn my eyes from worthless things … Help me abandon my shameful ways.
“Create” and “renew” are proactive words of offense, while “turn my eyes” and “help me abandon” are phrases of defense. These prayers ask God, paraphrasing, “help me begin these activities, while helping me stop these others.” Change always requires starting new things while simultaneously stopping or ending old things. God will provide His “new” to replace the “old” we give up. Offense leads us into good and defense helps us stay away from evil.
In your relationships:
Offense—Proverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Defense—Proverbs 3:27: Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
Spiritual sharpening is offense, while being careful to not withhold good is defense.
In spiritual growth:
Offense—Psalm 46:10: Be still, and know that I am God!
Defense—Ephesians 4:31: Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
As your defense “gets rid of,” your offense can “be still and know.”
This offense/defense strategy is essentially a Bible study method that can help you place spiritual principles into your life. Anywhere you have temptations or struggles and want to engage new patterns of behavior, find offensive and defensive Scriptures to support you.
Find and write down a favorite verse that best describes your spiritual offense for where you are in your life right now.
February 28, 2022
WHEN THEY ARE BIGGER THAN YOU
When God sent Gideon into battle with 300 men, it had to be an uncomfortable feeling. I can imagine the most confident warrior looking around and seeing only 299 other men.
“So, we’re just gonna roll up to another army with a lunchtime crew? Is this a smart strategy?”
It’s even more amazing when you think about the men who went home without prompting. Gideon had initially gathered a group of more than 30,000 to fight the Midianite army. When God told him to send home the men who were simply SCARED to fight, more than 20,000 of them left. Think about that! There were 30,000 men and more than two-thirds were STILL SCARED to fight the Midianite army. What does this say about the Midianites? They struck fear even before they stepped onto the battlefield. By the time Gideon got down to 300 men, it must have seemed like a kamikaze mission.
As men, we can feel pressured to hide the feeling of fear, especially among other men. When we are on a team that seems to have a physical or mental edge, it’s easy to feel dominant. In the face of bigger and possibly better, it’s easy to shrink.
But, God is with us. We have perpetual access to the Great Equalizer. No matter how many chariots, opponents, or obstacles face us, we are always in the battle to win. Don’t forget this and don’t be afraid!
Gideon’s 300 attacked at night with nothing more than horns and lamps. The bigger warriors shriveled and ran away.
Don’t be afraid. The God who brought you up from Egypt is with you. Remember this, equip yourself, and trust He will bring you through THIS battle.
“So, we’re just gonna roll up to another army with a lunchtime crew? Is this a smart strategy?”
It’s even more amazing when you think about the men who went home without prompting. Gideon had initially gathered a group of more than 30,000 to fight the Midianite army. When God told him to send home the men who were simply SCARED to fight, more than 20,000 of them left. Think about that! There were 30,000 men and more than two-thirds were STILL SCARED to fight the Midianite army. What does this say about the Midianites? They struck fear even before they stepped onto the battlefield. By the time Gideon got down to 300 men, it must have seemed like a kamikaze mission.
As men, we can feel pressured to hide the feeling of fear, especially among other men. When we are on a team that seems to have a physical or mental edge, it’s easy to feel dominant. In the face of bigger and possibly better, it’s easy to shrink.
But, God is with us. We have perpetual access to the Great Equalizer. No matter how many chariots, opponents, or obstacles face us, we are always in the battle to win. Don’t forget this and don’t be afraid!
Gideon’s 300 attacked at night with nothing more than horns and lamps. The bigger warriors shriveled and ran away.
Don’t be afraid. The God who brought you up from Egypt is with you. Remember this, equip yourself, and trust He will bring you through THIS battle.