GOD’S CHALLENGE FOR TODAY’S MAN
APRIL 2018
®
WWW.LIFEWAY.COM
BE WATCHFUL, STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH, ACT LIKE MEN, BE STRONG. 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13
APRIL 2018
U.S.A. $4.00
Volume 23 Number 4, April 2018
STAND FIRM PRODUCTION & MINISTRY TEAM ERIC GEIGER SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, LIFEWAY RESOURCES
AN ENCOURAGING WORD
FAITH WHATLEY DIRECTOR, ADULT MINISTRY EMILY CHADWELL MANAGER, ADULT MINISTRY MAGAZINES AND DEVOTIONALS DAWN WYSE GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST, ADULT MINISTRY MAGAZINES AND DEVOTIONALS KRIS DOLBERRY EXECUTIVE EDITOR EDITORIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY BILL DELVAUX Stand Firm: God’s Challenge for Today’s Man (ISSN 1085-7966; Item 005075233) is a Christian men’s devotional magazine published monthly by LifeWay Press®, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President, LifeWay Christian Resources. Copyright © 2018 by LifeWay Press®. How to Order Stand Firm If you need help with an order, WRITE LifeWay Church Resources, Customer Service Center, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234. For subscriptions, FAX 615-251-5818 or EMAIL subscribe@lifeway.com. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, FAX 615-251-5933 or EMAIL orderentry@lifeway.com. Order ONLINE at www.lifeway.com/standfirm. Mail address changes to Stand Firm, same address. Subscription Pricing Annual individual subscription, $26.00 for one year (12 issues). Please allow 6-8 weeks for arrival of first issue. Bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address when ordered with other literature, $1.95 each issue plus shipping. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. CONTENT IS COPYRIGHT © 2018 by LifeWay Press. Contents may not be reproduced in any form unless authorized in writing. Printed in U.S.A. SEND QUESTIONS/COMMENTS TO: Editor, Stand Firm ▪ One LifeWay Plaza ▪ Nashville, TN 37234, or by email to StandFirm@lifeway.com. Check us out on Twitter: @standfirmmag For individual or gift subscriptions or church bulk orders, go to: www.lifeway.com/standfirm
Several years ago, I read an article titled “Marketing Myopia.” It described industries that were once thriving, but at some point forgot their purpose. As a result, they became obsolete. For example, around the turn of the 20th century, the communications industry was dominated by the telegraph. Decision-makers in that industry mistakenly thought they were in the telegraph business, when in reality they were in communications. If they had understood their true purpose, they would have bought all of the patents for the telephone when it was invented. Instead, they stuck with the telegraph. Now as a means of communication, it is practically obsolete. Unfortunately, this is what many churches do. They mistakenly assume they’re in the business of caring for the sick, performing weddings, and holding Sunday services. These are important, but they are not the primary purpose of the church. The Bible is clear on this. We are to make disciples. If we ever forget that purpose, we will be no more than a social club. Brothers, lead your families and churches to remember our purpose: Make disciples!
COVER PHOTO: DANITA DELIMONT FOR GETTY IMAGES
Kris Dolberry Executive Editor 2 STANDFIRM
Table of Contents APRIL 2018
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Devotions 4 Week One 12 Week Two 19 Week Three 30 Week Four 37 Week Five
Special Feature 20 Prepared to Stand in the Real World by Michael Catt
In Every Issue 2 An Encouraging Word
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29 New Life in Christ: Our Search for a Hero 39 Good Humor: Instant Adventure
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The “Consider This” section in each devotion can help you lead other men through a devotional time together. You can also use the questions for personal reflection and journaling. Consider sharing a key insight through your social media channels too! Use #standfirmmag STANDFIRM 3
SUNDAY APRIL 1
John 11:32-44 As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!” (v. 32).
How great is God? For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods. –PSALM 95:3
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: John 11:32-44. ▪ What great things has Jesus done for you? Recount a few of them and praise Him. ▪ In what situations in your life is Jesus not big enough? How do you still live in unbelief here? Pray: Ask Jesus to open your eyes this Easter to His greatness and power in all your life situations.
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▪ Mary, the sister of Martha, knew that Jesus had the authority to heal. She believed He could do miracles. She believed He was special. Her faith in Jesus was so vibrant that she believed He could heal somebody close to death just by a touch. But whatever picture of Jesus’ abilities she had in her mind, it did not come close to all that He could do. The idea that He could resurrect her brother after he had been dead for several days perhaps didn’t enter her mind. Her realization of Jesus’ abilities may have been bigger than most who knew of Him, but it was far smaller than He really was. How big is your Jesus? Is there something that is bigger than He is? If there is, then your Jesus isn’t big enough. In fact, no matter how big you perceive Him, He is still much bigger. We want to think that we know God. But any time we think we have Him figured out, He surprises us. God cannot be fully known; that is why we have to live by faith. Can Jesus forgive your sins? Can He redeem the world? Can He raise the dead? Can He take you to heaven? Like Martha and Mary, we may realize that our concept of Jesus is bigger than those around us in the secular world. Yet many of us question if He can do the really big things. But He raised Lazarus from the dead and then was raised from the dead Himself. We need to put those doubts aside. How great is our God? This should not be a question. This Easter Day, it should be an exclamation of worship: How great is our God! Our God is great, and all things are possible through Him. Hallelujah!
MONDAY APRIL 2
Matthew 6:25-34 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” (v. 33).
Jesus can conquer anxiety. I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It’s all going to turn out all right. –BILLY GRAHAM
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Matthew 6:25-34. ▪ How has anxiety kept you from experiencing the life God promised us? ▪ What worries do you need to give to God now? Pray: Ask Jesus to take your anxiety and break its stronghold in you.
▪ Anxiety overtook me. I was waking up at night with panic attacks, I was on anxiety medication, and I was becoming a different person. Anxiety captivated my every thought. It affected my relationship with my wife, my work in youth ministry, and my walk with God. There were times I found it hard to breathe, and I would be flooded with overwhelming fear. But I’m here to tell you that anxiety is a stronghold that can be broken. It doesn’t have to overtake you. It doesn’t have to cause problems with your family or with your friends. Jesus is bigger than your anxiety. My wife placed key Scriptures on index cards all throughout our house to remind me of God’s love and promises. I read them daily and was reminded that my anxiety is not bigger than my God. For example, Matthew 6:27 says, “Can any of you add one moment to his life-span by worrying?” Anxiety stole my joy and robbed me of the abundant life Jesus promised. But God’s Word constantly reminded me to seek after Him instead of what I was worrying about. I had been too focused on my anxiety rather than on God. Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek God’s kingdom first. Even when anxiety comes, our faith can be a shield to us, and then we won’t have any problem seeking God even in the midst of life’s struggles. We are of more value than the birds of the sky (v. 26) and the wildflowers of the field (v. 28). We can trust that Jesus is more than able to take care of us. We can rest assured that He who conquered death can conquer our anxiety. STANDFIRM 5
TUESDAY APRIL 3
1 Kings 2:1-12 “As for me, I am going the way of all of the earth. Be strong and be a man” (v. 2).
What does it mean to be a man? Regardless of age, everyone wants a good answer to the question, “What does my dad really think about me?” –STEPHEN KENDRICK & ALEX KENDRICK
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: 1 Kings 2:1-12. ▪ When you hear the phrase “be a man,” what comes to mind? ▪ How are you still seeking your father’s approval? How could you seek after God’s approval for you as a man? Pray: Ask God to help you be a man by His standards, one who is confident in the finished work of Christ.
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▪ When I was growing up, my father rarely, if ever, told me he was proud of me. Although I had an incredibly supportive grandfather, there was something about my father’s lack of approval that gave me great anxiety. Even into my early 20s, I struggled with insecurity as I wrestled with trying to be seen as a man in my earthly father’s eyes. Because of my background, I can sympathize with Solomon in today’s passage. As David got ready to die, he passed along some final words to his son who would take over the kingship: “Be strong and be a man.” David’s dying wish was that his son would exhibit manliness. Talk about pressure for Solomon! However, David wasn’t ambiguous when it came to describing manliness. David told Solomon to keep his obligations to God and to walk in His ways. For David, manliness equated to the fear of the Lord and obedience to His Word. Unfortunately, Solomon turned from the Lord later in life. Solomon didn’t show himself a man for the long haul as his father hoped he would. Solomon’s failure stands in contrast to Jesus, the Son and King, who would perfectly obey God and thus demonstrate true manliness. I don’t know if I’ll ever gain my earthly father’s elusive praise, but I’ve learned over time that it’s my heavenly Father’s approval that really matters. And thankfully, this approval has been secured by Christ. True manliness isn’t about finding favor in the eyes of men. It’s about placing one’s identity in the perfect Savior who calls men to find their worth at the foot of the cross.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 4
Ephesians 5:6-14 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (v. 8).
Spread light to the darkest corners. A child of the light will confess sin instantly and stand completely open before God. But a child of the darkness will say, “Oh, I can explain that.” –OSWALD CHAMBERS
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Ephesians 5:6-14. ▪ Where does the darkness tempt you most strongly? How can you stand against those temptations? ▪ How are you seeking to spread God’s light into a dark corner today? Pray: Ask God to help you drive out darkness in the world by living as a child of light.
▪ When my kids were younger, I took them on a family trip to Mammoth Cave National Park in central Kentucky. While traveling hundreds of feet below the surface was pretty cool, I’ll admit one part of the tour left a bigger impact on me than anything else. The guide led us into a large room and asked us to take a seat on some benches. Once everyone was seated, the lights went out, revealing just how dark the cave could be. It was one of the few times in my life that I literally could not see my hand in front of my face. The black just surrounded us. I’ve never felt darkness the way I felt it in that cave. I think about that trip to Mammoth Cave when I read Ephesians 5:6-14. Paul reminded the believers in Ephesus that their lives were once marked by the darkness of sin. They had no light, no hope. Physically, they may have been going about their daily routines, but spiritually, they were groping around in inky blackness. But by God’s grace, things didn’t stay that way. The Ephesians discovered the light of the gospel. They accepted the truth and found salvation. But that discovery came with a responsibility. Things needed to change. They needed to live as “children of light.” That way, people could see how “fruitless” living in the dark really was and could turn to the light themselves (v. 11). Salvation is an incredible gift from God. But while it’s free, it comes with a challenge — a responsibility. Things can’t stay the same. Darkness cannot remain where light exists. And as God’s men, we’re called to spread His light to the darkest corners of our world. STANDFIRM 7
THURSDAY APRIL 5
John 5:16-19 “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things” (v. 19).
Be fully surrendered. What Thou wilt, when Thou wilt, and how Thou wilt. –JOHN NEWTON
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: John 5:16-19. ▪ When have you experienced God leading you into something you didn’t expect or desire? What happened? ▪ How is surrender challenging for you? How is it liberating? Pray: Ask God to enable you to live fully surrendered to Him, even in the tough situations.
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▪ A few years ago, our senior pastor resigned from a church where I was on staff. While I was sad to see him go, it opened a unique opportunity for me. I had been serving there for five years when he resigned, and I had already helped the church navigate through a previous transition. I had been faithful in my duties and was given increased responsibility. I was very interested in being the next senior pastor, and I believed my chances were quite good. Other people in the congregation were also telling me they thought I could do a great job in the role and hoped I would get the position. When it was all said and done, I didn’t get the job. Instead, I was asked to co-pastor the church alongside one other man. I was really disappointed. While it was an honor to be asked, I wanted to be the senior pastor, not a co-pastor. After much prayer and consideration about what to do, I stayed and co-pastored even though it wasn’t what I wanted. A verse that was significant to me in my discernment period was John 5:19. God used that verse to reveal to me that co-pastoring was what He had for me in that season of ministry. In John 5, Jesus was fully surrendered to the Father no matter the situation. He was only free to do what the Father directed Him to do. The same is true for us. That might mean God leads us into things we didn’t expect or at first desire. But we can take those steps with confidence that God knows what He’s doing and that He’s working it out for our good. When we are fully surrendered, we are fully free.
FRIDAY APRIL 6
Mark 8:34-37 Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (v. 34).
Are you interested or committed? The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren’t actually interested in following Christ. They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them. –KYLE IDLEMAN
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Mark 8:34-37. ▪ What has being interested in Jesus versus being committed to Jesus looked like in your life? ▪ How has Jesus been calling you to take up the cross and follow Him more closely? Pray: Ask Jesus to help you take up your cross and surrender to His leading.
▪ When I think about true sports fans who love their team, the Philadelphia Eagles’ fans come to mind. They are passionate and committed. They live and breathe Eagles football. The team released a video to pump up their fans even more. They asked: “Are you interested? Or are you committed?” The voiceover during this video separated true followers from pretenders by saying, “Hey, you know we’re not interested in people that are just interested. Nuh-uh, give me committed — committed with a capital C.” I like this perspective when it comes to being a sports fan, but I love it even more when it comes to Jesus. We need to ask ourselves the same thing: “Are you interested? Or are you committed?” An interested sports fan shows up to games, but doesn’t keep up with all of the players and the team’s weekly news. Likewise, someone interested in Jesus shows up for church on Sunday, but doesn’t seek to share his faith at work or study Scripture throughout the week. A committed sports fan endures inclement weather conditions (It was 17 degrees with 25 mph winds during a 2004 Eagles game!). A committed follower of Jesus perseveres through suffering and trials. Are you just interested in Jesus when it’s convenient, or are you willing to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him? Jesus isn’t inviting you into a life where you can settle for being interested. He is calling you to a life that is radically committed to following Him wherever He takes you. STANDFIRM 9
SATURDAY APRIL 7
Proverbs 10:17 The one who follows instruction is on the path to life, but the one who rejects correction goes astray.
Follow the instructions to life. The Christian life is very much like climbing a hill of ice. You cannot slide up, nay, you have to cut every step with an ice axe; only with incessant labor in cutting and chipping can you make any progress. –CHARLES SPURGEON
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Proverbs 10:17. ▪ How do you feel about the Book of Proverbs as a whole? ▪ How have you been walking in wisdom recently? How have you been going astray? Pray: Ask Jesus to help you walk in His wisdom, joyfully following His instructions for life.
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▪ I haven’t always loved the Book of Proverbs. I didn’t dislike it, but it wasn’t one of my favorite books of the Bible because it seemed so pragmatic, even unspiritual. It seemed to lack the gospel or the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. It was filled with useful bits of wisdom, but it didn’t warm my heart the way the Psalms did and continue to. Also, I learned early on that a proverb isn’t a promise but a wise principle that is true for general life, but not for every single situation. So while they seemed helpful, they didn’t seem essential to me. Now that I’m further along in the faith, I appreciate Proverbs much more. It’s not because I’ve grown in my appreciation of pithy words of wisdom. It’s because I see Proverbs and the whole Bible through a Jesus-focused lens. He is the source of all wisdom, including the wisdom in Proverbs, so this is where we will spend time in the next six devotionals. Though we need wisdom, we need more than that. A wise sinner is still a sinner. King Solomon, the author of many of the proverbs, including today’s verse, is a case in point. He didn’t always follow his own advice, and he suffered for it. Thankfully, salvation is not obtained through accumulating wisdom and making wise choices. Salvation is obtained through Jesus and His wisdom and the choices He made on our behalf. When I read the proverb for today about following instruction and the path to life, I think of Jesus saying to His disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). I take comfort and hope in knowing that all wisdom comes through Him.
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SUNDAY APRIL 8
Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
Don’t give up hope yet. How sweet all at once it was for me to be rid of those fruitless joys which I had once feared to lose! . . . You drove them from me, You who are the true, the sovereign joy. –AUGUSTINE
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Proverbs 10:28. ▪ What kinds of things do you find yourself hoping for most often? ▪ How can a strong biblical hope give you joy today whatever your circumstances? Pray: Ask God to give you deeper hope in His promised future. Ask that this hope would mean more joy today.
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▪ To make real progress toward anything, you’ve got to have hope that progress is possible. And the Bible has a lot to say about hope. The writer of the Letter of Hebrews described hope in God’s promises as “an anchor for the soul” (6:19). The apostle Paul said hope in Christ “will not disappoint” despite the suffering we undergo (Rom 5:5). And today’s verse says that the “hope of the righteous is joy.” From these and many other verses, we can say that hope is essential to our Christian lives. We need our hope to be steadfast and sure, as well as desirable, if it’s going to sustain us through tough times and propel us into the future. In everyday life, we tend to think of hope as more of a wish than a certainty. We say things such as, “I hope the rain holds off this afternoon.” “I hope the Cubs don’t have to go another 100 years before they win the World Series again.” “I hope I get that job I applied for.” To speak this way is a perfectly acceptable use of hope. But when the Bible speaks about hope, it doesn’t do so in terms of wishful thinking. It talks about hope as a future reality that just hasn’t come to fruition yet. Thus, biblical hope is steadfast and unmoving (like an anchor), sure and reliable (not disappointing), good and desirable (a future joy). Part of my church’s mantra is that our future is incredibly bright. Saying that isn’t bubbly optimism. It’s biblical hope based on the wisdom of Christ. We can expect a future of unending joy because God promises it. So don’t give up hope yet. The story isn’t over, and God promises a happy ending.
MONDAY APRIL 9
Proverbs 11:2 When arrogance comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
Find joy in humility. Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. –AUGUSTINE
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Proverbs 11:2. ▪ Whom do you admire for their humility? What is it like to be around them? ▪ How has God been helping you become more outward-focused in love? Pray: Ask God to help you get outside of yourself and focus more on others with His love.
▪ Humility is a very attractive trait in a person while pride just looks ugly. Unfortunately, it’s easy to see these characteristics in others, but not so easy to see them in ourselves. In fact, the nature of pride is that we are largely blind to it unless God or a faithful friend graciously gives us a clue. But will we be humble enough to hear and accept it? Not always, I’m afraid. Spotting humility in ourselves is tricky too. The moment we identify it is the moment we become proud of it. It’s a game we’re better off not playing at all. Today’s verse says that wisdom comes with humility. Clearly, humility is something we should desire to grow in. So how do we find humility? It happens when we focus less on ourselves and more on God and others. We’ve all experienced the joy of being outward-focused, but we tend to revert back to self-absorption despite being much happier when everything isn’t all about us. The flesh turns us inward toward ego gratification. The Spirit turns us outward toward love. The battle between pride and humility rages inside us. Tim Keller wrote a little book called The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy. The title says it all. There is great freedom in forgetting about ourselves and remembering God and others. This is no martyr syndrome but “the path to true Christian joy.” Why is that? Because God is love, and the universe is meant to run on love. Pride kills love, but humility gives it room to grow. The wisest, best thing we can hope to do is to grow in love, and humility makes that possible. STANDFIRM 13
TUESDAY APRIL 10
Proverbs 11:27 The one who searches for what is good seeks favor, but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.
Do you have eyes to see it? What you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing; it also depends on what sort of person you are. –C. S. LEWIS
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Proverbs 11:27. ▪ What are some good things you experience daily that you tend to take for granted? ▪ How can you become more attentive to the good happening around you? How could you join God in that today? Pray: Ask God to show you where you need an attitude adjustment and to help you see His blessings all around.
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▪ I recently read an interview with a college basketball coach in which he said he had probably learned more from one of his players than he had taught this particular player. He wasn’t referring to knowledge about basketball but to knowledge about life. This player has been through a lot and has a great attitude despite the trials. He often reminds his teammates that they don’t have to go to practice. They get to go. Most players don’t have that attitude because practice is such hard work. So an attitude shift here can make it go a lot better for everyone. As the saying goes, “If you can’t get out of it, get into it.” Along the same lines, Boston Celtics great Bill Russell talked about his approach to games: “There’s a phrase that I used to use: The game’s on the schedule, we have to play it, we might as well win it. You’re going to be just as tired if you lose as if you win. So why not just win?” Every day we wake up is another chance for us to glorify God and enjoy our relationship with Him. It’s on His schedule, so we might as well show up with the right attitude and expect it to go well. We might as well show up to win, not to lose. As you go throughout your day today, pray and keep searching for what is good. Thank Him for those blessings. Then look for good places where God is working and join Him however you can. There’s wisdom in searching for the good because the more we search, the more we will tend to find. God’s favor is there for those who have the eyes to see it.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 11
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and a wise person captivates people.
This will captivate others. The chief means for attaining wisdom, and suitable gifts for the ministry, are the holy Scriptures and prayer. –JOHN NEWTON
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Proverbs 11:30. ▪ Think of a captivating person you know. How have they affected you? ▪ How has God used the wisdom of others to bless you? How are you seeking to bless others with that wisdom? Pray: Ask God to help you grow in wisdom for the benefit of others.
▪ I have a painting at home of a tree planted by a flowing stream. It’s a picture of Psalm 1. I love how the tree in that psalm flourishes because it is close to the source of life, the water. Similarly, we flourish when we’re close to God, the source of our life. These images — trees, water, life — are all over the Bible, from the tree of life in the garden of Eden to Jesus’ promise that living water will flow from deep within a believer. The Christian life is not meant to be dry and barren. It is meant to be a vibrant life of bearing fruit for God. Thankfully, the fruit we bear does not come about by our own anxious striving but by our commitment to stay near to the source of life. Jesus said that as we abide in the vine, as we stay connected to Him, we will bear much fruit. It’s a wonderfully simple process. I like the second half of today’s proverb. It says that someone who embodies wisdom is captivating. I’ve seen that quality in others I know. You don’t have to be loud or charismatic to captivate people. That’s an act that’s tough to maintain day in and day out. No, all it takes to captivate others is the Spirit of God working in us, giving us wisdom such that others recognize that we’ve been taught by God. A man who knows the Scriptures well and receives them into his own life, being a doer of the Word and not just a hearer, obtains the wisdom that captivates others. Indeed, he becomes a tree of life to them. His life causes others around him to flourish. There’s no greater way to live as a man. There’s also no wiser way. STANDFIRM 15
THURSDAY APRIL 12
Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.
Hear the good word. Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength. –CHARLES SPURGEON
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Proverbs 12:25. ▪ Where do you struggle with worry or anxiety? What good words help you here? ▪ Who are the encouragers in your life? Whom are you seeking to encourage? Pray: Ask God to help you rely on His good Word and the good words of others to help you overcome your anxiety.
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▪ “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me.” That childhood rhyme is completely false. Names, labels, gossip, and angry words inflict damage on a person or a community. Perhaps that’s why the Book of Proverbs has so much to say about our words. They’re powerful, and if not used well, they can wreak havoc. Of course, words can also do great good. We can bless God and others. We can teach, counsel, encourage, compliment, and communicate love through them. The first half of today’s proverb talks about an increasingly common problem in our society. People are weighed down with worry and anxiety. It’s become epidemic among students who feel the pressure to succeed, to be the best, to do it all. Almost all of us feel this pressure to some extent. Combine those societal pressures with the chaos around the world and close to home, and you’ve got a recipe for anxiety. Thankfully, God speaks into our worry and anxiety with words of peace. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Don’t worry about anything.” Then it promises us the peace of God “which surpasses all understanding.” Anxiety is not God’s will for His people. We may know that but still struggle with it. Ironically, our failure to cease worrying can then become a source of anxiety! So we need to keep coming back to God’s Word to hear a good word about His grace and care. We need to hear good words from others as well and then speak good words to them. Words can lift our anxiety and cheer us up. They can change our hearts. That’s the power of a good word.
FRIDAY APRIL 13
Mark 10:41-45 “But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all” (vv. 43-44).
Be a man of action. Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today. –BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Mark 10:41-45. ▪ What daily mundane tasks do you tend to put off or shirk? ▪ How could doing those tasks serve those around you? Pray: Ask Jesus to help you see every task in front of you today as an opportunity to serve someone.
▪ Comedian Larry the Cable Guy coined the phrase “Git-R-Done” a few years ago. It became the mantra for anyone dead set on accomplishing a task. It gave the impression that you were up to a particular responsibility and ready to make things happen. I’ve used the phrase several times over the years, primarily to buddies I wanted to impress. Unfortunately, the phrase doesn’t really describe the kind of man I am regularly. There are things I take on with great fervor whenever I want to do them. That mantra doesn’t really describe me, though, when it comes to things like taking out the trash or picking up a few items at the grocery store. I’m more like a Git-Me-Inna-Recliner kind of guy. But my attitude is such a contrast to Jesus’ teaching. In Mark 10, He calls out His disciples for their selfish mentality. They were bragging about their ability to take on the role of His right- and left-hand men. They believed they were up to any task that Jesus would give them: “Conquer the world? Lead a nation? We got you covered.” But Jesus wasn’t looking for men to lead a nation. He was looking for men who would serve others. He needed men of action, but the actions He was calling them into were the daily tasks of putting others’ needs before their own. Jesus is still calling out to each of us to be men of action. Sometimes there will be a big task we are asked to take on. But much more often, it will be the smaller tasks of serving others and putting them first. Decide today to be a man of action regardless of the task you are given. STANDFIRM 17
SATURDAY APRIL 14
Ephesians 4:20-24 Take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds (vv. 22-23).
Recalibrate your mind. Your inner life is like a banana tree filled with monkeys jumping up and down. –HENRI NOUWEN
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Ephesians 4:20-24. ▪ What kind of thoughts were filling your mind yesterday? Were they more of the old way of life or the new way in Christ? ▪ How could you set your
mind on the Spirit during your day today? Pray: Ask Jesus to help you take every thought captive and set your mind on His Spirit.
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▪ Mechanical and electronic sensors gradually drift away from their original settings and need to be recalibrated from time to time. This drift can be due to wear, temperature change, or corrosion. Isn’t that like our minds? We can be calibrated with God in the morning when we pray, but somehow during the day our minds can be hijacked by the news, a supervisor’s criticism, our spouse’s negativity, or our own financial troubles. Suddenly our minds have drifted from a focus on Christ to complete chaos. We can literally feel like a “banana tree filled with monkeys jumping up and down.” Paul told the Ephesians that they needed to be renewed in the spirit of their minds. To do that, they needed to be renewed in what fills them. There is no limit to the things that can invade our minds, capture our thoughts, and wear us down. But God has given us the role of being a gatekeeper over these things. The old way of life is gone, and we need to be vigilant guards over our thoughts, recalibrating them to the new mind given us in Christ. There are three actions we can do to be renewed in our minds. First, don’t let the mind be controlled by other things. Paul told the Corinthians to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). Next, seek the things that are above where Christ is seated. Jesus also told His disciples to seek after the kingdom. Finally, set the mind on the Spirit, for that is the source for life and peace. Once recalibrated, we need to keep setting our thoughts on the things of the Spirit throughout the day.
SUNDAY APRIL 15
1 Corinthians 2:6-10 What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived — God has prepared these things for those who love him (v. 9).
You ain’t seen nothing yet. The future is as bright as the promises of God. – WILLIAM CAREY
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10. ▪ How does the promise of future glory affect any fear or anxiety you have now? ▪ How could this promise give you the boldness to follow Him, no matter what? Pray: Thank God for the great glory that is coming. Ask Him to help you trust Him now in everything.
▪ Elvis Presley drove a very special Cadillac. Its exterior lines were crafted out of solid gold where the production car of the same model used chrome. The interior was refined as well. No detail was left unembellished. But the feature that made the car truly special was the television in the backseat. Not too long ago, I had the chance to get up close and personal with Elvis’s automobile at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. And while the Cadillac is a beautiful piece of machinery, I was struck by just how unimpressive the famous TV was. In Elvis’s heyday, I’m sure that watching your favorite shows while being driven around town was a sign of unrivaled luxury. But by today’s standards, the tiny black-and-white television, dependent on an antenna sprouting up from the trunk of the car, pales in comparison to the entertainment potential packed into out-dated, budget smartphones and tablets. I wonder what Elvis would think if he could see us now. The Bible says, “no eye has seen, no ear has heard . . . [what] God has prepared . . . for those who love him” (1 Cor. 2:9). Yet, we sometimes live our lives as if this is as good as things will get. We clutch our blessings here and now, unwilling to give them up for fear that God cannot be trusted. But God does not hold out on His children. He has saved the best for a future glory yet to be revealed. That means we can follow Him no matter where He leads, no matter what it costs. In many ways, the ride may be good right now, but we ain’t seen nothing yet!
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BY BY WRITMICHAEL ER CATT
PREPARED TO STAND IN THE REAL WORLD
I
’ve had several people in my life that I have leaned on heavily for advice, wisdom, counsel, and insight. The first was Vance Havner. When I was a young man, I devoured his books, exchanged letters with him, and saw him every chance I could get. I still remember the phone call telling me he had died. Suddenly the man who influenced my ministry more than any other was gone. At about the same time, God brought Ron Dunn into my life. I first heard Ron preach shortly after he buried his oldest son. A few years later, we began to develop a relationship that was as dear to me as any I’ve ever had. Ron taught me to be myself, to dig deeper to find the truth in the Word, and to trust God in difficult times. Ron had health problems the last few years of his life, but I never anticipated that God would take him when He did. I was driving down the interstate in Atlanta taking Warren and Betty Wiersbe to the airport when my phone rang. It was Joanne, Ron’s longtime assistant, and she simply said, 20 STANDFIRM
“Michael, he’s gone.” The rest of that day is still a fog. I couldn’t believe it. Ron was a friend, a hero, a mentor. He had preached a Bible conference for me for 16 consecutive years. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him. One day the Philippian church got the news that Paul had been executed. He was trying to prepare them for that day. He didn’t want them to stumble and falter in their faith. He had started a good work in them years before, and he wanted them to continue on “now much more in my absence.” Purposeful people live in the real world. They know it’s not fair. They know life will throw you a curve when you least expect it. Therefore, they learn to live by faith. They understand that life goes on even when it seems the whole world has come to an end. If you’re going to be purposeful, you’ve got to find out why God placed you here. Too many people waste their lives trying to be someone else. Rather than imitators of Christ, we imitate someone we admire. Rather than following the life of Christ as the pat-
tern of our life, we pattern ourselves after some celebrity or a person we look up to. In the end, we become caricatures or copycats of someone else, not the person God saved us to be. To be honest, I did that to some extent with Vance Havner and Ron Dunn. I lived off their faith, their ministries, their books. There were times when my faith was second-hand. When they passed away, the reality hit me that there would be no more phone calls, letters, visits, or new sermons. The choice now was to act on what I had been taught and live it out daily. Left to ourselves, we won’t grow up. Far too many in the family of faith are living a second-hand faith. In opting to lean totally on others, hoping their faith and prayers will see us through, we fail to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
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Far too many in the family of faith are living a second-hand faith. Paul wanted these believers to know that sooner or later, they would have to stand on their own. Alistair Begg communicated, “Moralism says to unbelievers, ‘Be what you are not.’ Christianity says to believers, ‘Be what you are.’”1 Paul commanded them to work out what he’s been talking about. He jumps right out of this incredible passage on the exaltation of Christ (Phil. 2:6-11) and gets very practical. He begins verse 12 with so then or therefore. “In light of what I’ve said
about Jesus, here’s how you need to behave. This is the direction for your daily decision making.” We all have to figure this out. The reality is, one day, things are going to change. If you don’t grow up now, you may never grow up. One day, Paul will be gone (“much more in my absence”), your hero will die, your mentor will no longer be there, your parents or grandparents won’t be there for you to lean on, you’ll move away and no one will make you go to church, you’ll get married and have to figure out this whole Christian marriage thing, you’ll have to stop depending on who is preaching on a particular Sunday to determine whether or not you’ll go to church. Even before these realities hit, you have to decide what you believe and why you believe it. Every believer has to embrace these words of Paul if they are ever going to make substantial gains in their spiritual development. The sooner a person learns this truth, the better off they will be. “My beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12) SF . Quote by Alistair Begg, http://gracequotes.org/quote/ moralism-says-to-unbelievers-be-what-you-are-notchristianity-says-to-believers-be-what-you-are.
1
Excerpted with permission from The Power of Purpose: Breaking Through to Intentional Living by Michael Catt. Copyright © 2017, B&H Publishing. Available at www. lifeway.com.
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ESSENTIALS OF MINISTRY TO MEN Not every healthy church has a formalized “men’s ministry,” but every healthy church ministers to men. Ministry to men must be a priority and a passion, not merely a program. Men are transformed when churches connect, disciple, and challenge them. 1. CONNECTED: EVERY MAN NEEDS OTHER GODLY MEN. Men need to be connected to others in biblical community. No man should stand alone or attempt to live the Christian faith in isolation. 2. DISCIPLED: EVERY MAN NEEDS TO GROW. Events like game dinners or pancake breakfasts are good. But they alone will not build disciples. Church leaders must labor, with God’s energy, to present men mature in Christ. 3. CHALLENGED: EVERY MAN NEEDS A HOLY MISSION. God has woven a desire for mission into the fabric of the masculine heart. When men are unsure of their mission, they pull away from the challenge God has designed for them and give themselves lesser, more worldly challenges. Churches must help men live out the mission God is calling them to--pushing back the darkness and advancing God’s kingdom. For more content like this, visit LifeWayMen.com
MONDAY APRIL 16
2 Corinthians 12:6-10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me (v. 9).
He gives grace. Our heavenly Father understands our disappointment, suffering, pain, fear, and doubt. He is always there to encourage our hearts and help us understand that He’s sufficient for all of our needs. –CHARLES STANLEY
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: 2 Corinthians 12:6-10. ▪ How has God proven Himself faithful to you in times of suffering? ▪ How are you dealing with your greatest source of pain today? Pray: Confess your need of God. Ask Him to help you trust His grace today for the challenges you face.
▪ Annie Johnson Flint’s life declares the greatness of God in the midst of confusion and pain. She was orphaned as a baby. She lived in a home that bordered on poverty. She spent her days as a caregiver to her adopted mother, who suffered from a number of strokes. In midlife, she fell ill and spent most of her remaining years crippled, bed-ridden, dealing with depression, and suffering from chronic pain. How could God glorify Himself in all her unanswered prayer and suffering? While most would look at her life and ask this question, Annie focused on all God was doing in the midst of her challenges. She didn’t hide her pain. Instead she chose to be an encouragement to the small community around her. Because of her faith, God gave grace to her. Believers have continued singing her testimony for more than 100 years. In one stanza, her life became a wellspring of encouragement to those who face adversity, pain, and the anomaly of illness: When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed ere the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoarded resources Our Father’s full giving is only begun. I think about her life and hear this song in the midst of my own questions about suffering. I must trust the same God Annie trusted. It’s the same God Paul trusted in the midst of his sufferings. He learned that God’s grace was enough. It’s the same lesson God is teaching us today. His grace is truly enough for today’s struggles and tomorrow’s crucibles. STANDFIRM 23
TUESDAY APRIL 17
Ephesians 2:1-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! (vv. 4-5).
Dead men can live again. We must never think of salvation as a kind of transaction between God and us in which he contributes grace and we contribute faith. For we were dead, and had to be quickened before we could believe. –JOHN STOTT
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Ephesians 2:1-5. ▪ How could knowing that you were dead in sin change the way you respond to God? ▪ How could it change the way you live today? Pray: Give thanks to God for not giving up on you when you were dead in sin. Praise Him that He has raised you to new life.
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▪ Both Duck Tape® and Super Glue®, two of the more remarkable products of the modern era, were invented in 1942 for use in World War II. They are still household names to this day, a fact for which I am incredibly grateful. I have two schoolage children who can be a bit rough on toys, and inevitably, once or twice a week, one gets broken. My initial reaction is to consider that the toy is a worthless piece of junk, declare that they don’t make them like they used to, insist that we must take care of our stuff, and then offer to throw the toy away. On more than one occasion, my wife has intervened, determining that the damaged toy can be fixed by a little Super Glue or a piece of Duck Tape. What I see as irreparable usually gets a second chance under her care. In Ephesians 2, Paul declares that we were dead in our trespasses. It wasn’t just that we had done some bad things or made some bad mistakes. We were dead. A dead person can’t will his way back into the land of the living. A dead person can’t do anything. But God doesn’t let death have the final word. He doesn’t look on us as a hopeless cause and discard us. Instead, while we are dead in our sin, God reaches down and by His grace through the costly sacrifice of Jesus brings us back to life. Thankfully, God doesn’t take the same approach with us as I do with a broken toy. Instead, in His great love He raises us from sin and death, giving us the joy of eternal life with Him. We are dead men learning to live again!
WEDNESDAY APRIL 18
1 Peter 5:5-11 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time (v. 6).
You are not unsinkable. After crosses and losses, men grow humbler and wiser. –BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: 1 Peter 5:5-11. ▪ What icebergs have the
potential to sink you this year?
▪ How can you humble yourself before God? Pray: Declare your dependence upon the Lord and ask Him to sustain you.
▪ April 15 has been designated as National Titanic Remembrance Day. It is a day to remember the 1500+ people who drowned when the Titanic sank into the icy waters of the North Atlantic the morning of April 15, 1912. Heralded as unsinkable, the Titanic was named after the group of powerful Greek gods, the Titans. The largest ship of her day, the Titanic’s maiden voyage attracted the best the world could offer, including some of the world’s wealthiest people. Designed to offer the zenith of comfort and luxury, the boat included swimming pools, libraries, a gym, and extravagant living quarters. The boat claimed to be unsinkable. However, one hidden iceberg and an insufficient number of lifeboats created one of the most memorable disasters in history. In a few short hours, this opulent ship sank to the sea’s bottom, some 13,000 feet deep. In a parallel way, hidden icebergs can sink our boats today. Men steer their lives daily through waters where icebergs lurk. This year, my wife and I grieved with a friend over the loss of her marriage. After some years of married life and children, the husband joined a new firm. A flirtatious coworker paid him too much attention. She pursued him, and he fell. The marriage moved quickly toward divorce. The snares of extra-marital sex, pornography, money mismanagement, and workaholism are hidden icebergs that can snare any of us. The subtle trap of pride can then snare all of us. We wrongly assume we are unsinkable. But the wise man humbles himself before God daily, submitting to Him. STANDFIRM 25
THURSDAY APRIL 19
Acts 5:27-42 Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name (v. 41).
Our shame can become praise. I have not suffered a lot for Christ, but I want to tell you that those times that I have suffered and I knew it was for Jesus, have been some of the happiest times of my entire life. –ADRIAN RODGERS
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Acts 5:27-42. ▪ How have you been unjustly accused or ostracized because of your faith in Jesus? ▪ How have you responded to that? What has it done to your faith? Pray: Ask God to help you boldly proclaim Him and endure any ridicule that may come.
▪ I used to work in a Christian bookstore. One day, a young man came into the store and readily confessed that he was an atheist. We spent about 20 minutes conversing before I invited him out to get coffee. He accepted, and we made a plan to get together. At the coffee shop, the conversation turned toward evolution and creation. For some reason, this subject made him extremely animated. He began shouting at me even though I was calm and polite. Then, in a moment of exasperation, he jumped out of the booth, cursed, and accused me of poisoning the minds of children. He then stormed out of the coffee shop. I turned a little red as the other patrons looked at me to see what was happening. I sat there in silence for a few minutes feeling embarrassed and a little angry. Then I remembered today’s passage when the apostles rejoiced at the fact they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully because of Jesus. What’s amazing is that these apostles hadn’t been accused in a coffee shop. Their flesh had been painfully ripped by flogging. Still they joyfully wore this persecution like a badge of honor because it identified them with Christ. In light of their example, I took a minute to pray for this young man and thanked God for the opportunity to witness. A couple days later, he emailed me apologizing for his actions. We were later able to resume our conversation. Although it’s never fun to be ridiculed for one’s faith, we can rejoice in those moments knowing that such suffering can help us identify more fully with Jesus.
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FRIDAY APRIL 20
1 Peter 3:14-16 But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and respect (vv. 15-16a).
Love them into the faith. The world does not understand theology or dogma, but it understands love and sympathy. –DWIGHT L. MOODY
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: 1 Peter 3:14-16. ▪ How did someone love you into the faith? ▪ Whom are you trying to reach with the gospel? How are you trying to love them into the faith? Pray: Ask God for a real love and respect for those you are trying to influence for Christ.
▪ Being a witness for Christ and defending what we believe consists of two parts. One part deals with the words you say to others. But the often overlooked second part is how you treat the people you are trying to reach. Even if you are well-spoken in apologetics, know all sorts of biblical facts, and take advantage of every opportunity that comes along to witness, your influence for Christ will not be effective unless you show love and respect to those you are trying to impact. It’s an often-repeated saying, but one that is still very true: People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Love, gentleness, respect, and concern are the most effective witnessing and apologetics tools we have. For this reason, it’s so important for us to build relationships with those we are trying to reach. We are to love them into the kingdom instead of trying to push them. We are to see them as those to be concerned about instead of a way to get another notch in our spiritual belt. In fact, it would be better for someone to know his testimony and nothing else — and truly love others — than to be well versed in apologetics and evangelism and yet show no love at all. Love and respect speak louder than our knowledge. They speak louder than anything we can say. Are there others you are trying to reach? Are you doing so with love, gentleness, and respect? That may mean listening and showing empathy at first rather than speaking. That was Christ’s way, and it must be ours as well. STANDFIRM 27
SATURDAY APRIL 21
John 8:1-12 “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore” (vv. 10b-11).
Step into the light. Imperfection is the prerequisite for grace. Light only gets in through the cracks. –PHILIP YANCEY
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: John 8:1-12. ▪ What do you fear most about your sin being exposed before others? ▪ How have you received
mercy when you were expecting condemnation? From others? From Jesus? Pray: Pray that God would give you the ability to walk in the freedom of forgiveness rather than the fear of condemnation.
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▪ The other night I yelled at my 3-year-old daughter while putting her to bed. It wasn’t a one-word or even a one-phrase yell, like “Stop!” or “Get in bed!” It was a string of sentences. Right after I lost my cool, I felt horrible. What kind of dad yells at his 3-year-old? But what made the moment even worse was the realization that all the windows in the house were open. We live in a neighborhood where the homes are really close together, and I’m pretty sure our neighbors heard my shouting. I felt embarrassed, exposed, and afraid. It was as though my sin had been brought into the light and I feared condemnation from my neighbors. There’s a story in John 8 where a group of Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery to Jesus. They expose her sin, using her as a pawn in their attempt to trap Jesus. But Jesus does an end-around move on the Pharisees and traps them instead. The beauty of Jesus’ reaction to this woman shows His desire for mercy instead of condemnation. In moments when my sin is exposed in front of others, I get scared. I’m afraid people will condemn me. They may not say it directly to me, but I assume they judge me. However, Jesus shows us that we don’t have to live in fear of what others think, primarily because He forgives us and sets us free. That doesn’t mean there won’t be consequences for our actions, but Jesus doesn’t hold that against us. When we are tempted to believe that life is safer hiding our sin in the dark, Jesus invites us to experience the freedom of forgiveness. So step into the light.
New Life in Christ
OUR SEARCH FOR A HERO
From earliest boyhood, we are searching for heroes in our superstar athletes and comic book characters. The search only intensifies as we become men but find ourselves disappointed in the heroes we look up to. Inside we are all asking the question: Where is that true hero, that real man who will show me the way to live? But a true Hero did show up in history once, One who did everything we ask of a hero: He spoke the truth, fought evil at every turn, and eventually laid down His life for the world. That man is Jesus, the Hero of the whole Bible. But the stunning message of the Bible is that He became like us so that we could become like Him, even heroic like Him. His death on the cross and resurrection opened the door for us. We enter that door by admitting our sin, our selfish, unheroic lives and by trusting our hearts to Him.
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If you want to enter that door now, simply surrender your heart to Him in prayer or use words like these: Dear God, I understand I’m a sinner, but I believe Jesus died for my sins. Thank You for forgiving my sins and opening the door for me into a new life. From this day on, I choose to follow You, my Hero and Savior. If you begin a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus, please share this with the person or church that gave you this magazine. To learn more, visit sbc.net/ knowjesus.
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SUNDAY APRIL 22
Psalm 40:1-3 He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure (v. 2).
Are you in a pit? There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still. –CORRIE TEN BOOM
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Psalm 40:1-3. ▪ What pit have you been rescued from in the past? How have you responded to God? ▪ Are you sinking in a pit right now? How are you learning to wait for God’s rescue? Pray: Ask God to rescue you from any pit and then praise Him for His salvation.
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▪ I have always been scared of falling into a deep pit. As a young boy growing up in the Texas countryside, I was warned about abandoned wells that farmers and ranchers left pockmarked across the land. I heard stories of livestock that would tumble into these cisterns and die of suffocation in the muck at the bottom. There were many nights when I had nightmares of falling into a well and being swallowed up by the muck at the bottom. Due to my childhood fear, the imagery of Psalm 40 has always resonated with me. In the darkest times of life, I have experienced sensations that I share with David about the terror of being lost in a dark pit of hopelessness. Fear, loneliness, and desperation all seemed to weigh me down at times. Instead of hitting rock bottom, I felt like I was being swallowed up in mud. We have all experienced pits like this. They are the moments we realize that we are overcome by sin. Thank God that He rescues us from our pits. Just as David proclaimed, God lifts us out of our sin — the mire, mud, and slime that keeps us cemented in our pits. All we have to do is to call out to God and ask Him to rescue us. Sometimes this rescue is quick, almost instantaneous. Other times, God takes His time and allows the rescue to be a process in which we learn to rely on Him. Yet no matter the timing of His rescue, He promises to retrieve us from our pits. Once we are rescued, God sets us on firm ground. What is our response to His rescue? We are to proclaim the goodness of the One who delivers us from our pits.
MONDAY APRIL 23
Psalm 28:1-9 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart celebrates, and I give thanks to him with my song (v. 7).
He is the great Protector. Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come: ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. –JOHN NEWTON
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Psalm 28:1-9. ▪ How has the Lord protected you in the past? Think of several examples. ▪ How is He protecting you now? Pray: Praise God for the many ways He protects you every day.
▪ Years ago, I was the golf coach for a Christian school located in one of the worst neighborhoods in America for crime, drugs, and gangs. While returning to school from a match one evening, I felt the car behind me bump into my car. Instinctively, I pulled over to see what happened. When I did, four young men got out of their car and surrounded me. Immediately, I realized I was in danger. Also at that moment, my training in martial arts kicked in. The first lesson one of my instructors used to do with new students was to get behind them and put his finger against their back as if it were a gun. He then asked what they would do to protect themselves. Every time the student would try something, as soon as they did, my instructor would say, “Bang. You’re dead.” Then he said, “This is what you do.” He proceeded to act like he was pulling his wallet out of his pocket and opening it to offer everything in it to the person with the gun. That first lesson was still with me that evening. As soon as I was surrounded, I pulled out my wallet and opened it to give them all of my cash, some 20 dollars or so. They left, and I am here writing today. Soon after, I learned that a man had been robbed and murdered about a mile down the road from where I was. I rejoiced in God’s protection and in His providence, giving me an instructor who taught me the best lesson I ever learned in martial arts. The Lord is our strength and shield, and He protects us in ways we often do not anticipate or recognize.
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TUESDAY APRIL 24
Proverbs 15:16-17 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
What’s better than wealth? God created us to love people and use things, but materialists love things and use people. –RANDY ALCORN
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Proverbs 15:16-17. ▪ How do you struggle with materialism, loving things and using people? ▪ Is there turmoil or hatred in your home or workplace? How is God asking you to address it? Pray: Ask God to help you steward your time and energy so that you’re investing in what matters most.
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▪ When I was a young adult, my mother got remarried to a man who had a high-paying job. When this happened, my siblings and I moved into her new husband’s house located in one of the wealthier parts of town. Our standard of living immediately improved, and we were able to enjoy luxuries we couldn’t have previously afforded. But sadly, the same job that allowed my stepdad to entertain this indulgent lifestyle also led him into an adulterous relationship that wreaked havoc on the marriage. The fancy exterior of our home hid the turmoil inside. Fast-forward many years, and I’m now married with my own family. In the last few months, our family has had a few financial setbacks brought on by car trouble. While it’s tempting to look back to a time when money wasn’t so tight, I quickly remember the spiritual and emotional cost that came with those years. That memory is why today’s passage has such special meaning to me. According to Solomon, a household filled with peace and the fear of the Lord is more important than financial abundance. It’s better to eat vegetables in a loving home than to feast on rich meat in a palace marked by hate. To contextualize this to my situation, I’d rather experience car trouble in a peace-filled home than be well-off in a tumultuous one. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with gaining honest wealth. Solomon’s point is to say there are things more valuable than earthly treasures. The Lord wants His children to consider godliness, love, and peace more important than anything money can buy.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 25
Luke 3:21-22 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased” (v. 22b).
You have what it takes. Teach a man a rule and you help him solve a problem; teach a man to walk with God and you help him solve the rest of his life. –JOHN ELDREDGE
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Luke 3:21-22. ▪ What would it feel like to know that you have what it takes? ▪ What would change in your life if you truly lived as a beloved son of the Father ? Pray: Thank the Father for the gift of sonship. Ask Him to help you see yourself the way He sees you.
▪ To say I don’t enjoy home improvement projects very much would be an understatement. I’d actually rather get a root canal than hang a curtain rod or paint a room. No matter how hard I try, the smallest projects never come together the way they do on the YouTube® video I’m following for guidance. They always seem to take twice as long and cost twice as much as I expect. And I usually end up taking several unexpected trips to the hardware store along the way. So when we were getting ready to put our house on the market last year, my wife thought I would appreciate her hiring a handyman to take care of several small projects around the house. But I wasn’t happy about it. Even though I hate spending my evenings and Saturdays patching drywall and power-washing siding, I didn’t welcome my bride’s kind gesture. There is something deep within each man that longs to know he has what it takes. Our unique cultures and backgrounds shape our view of true manhood to some extent, but the struggle is the same for all of us. Yet at the core of that longing is a deeper one, to know that we are beloved sons who have what it takes. This is exactly what the Father announced about His Son at His baptism: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.” Through Christ, God wants us to see ourselves now receiving that same blessing. Your manhood is not defined by your ability to make money or fix a car. It’s found in being a son of God. No matter what you’re going through, you have what it takes! STANDFIRM 33
THURSDAY APRIL 26
2 Corinthians 11:24-33 Five times I received the forty lashes minus one from the Jews. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea (vv. 24-25).
Adventure is off the beaten path. Follow boldly in your Master’s steps, for He has made this rough journey before you. Better a brief warfare and eternal rest than false peace and everlasting torment. –CHARLES SPURGEON
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: 2 Corinthians 11:24-33. ▪ What unwanted adventures have you experienced that were still meaningful in the end? ▪ Is there a messy adventure God is calling you into now? How could you prepare for it? Pray: Ask God to give you an attitude of holy flexibility and courage in the adventure He may call you into today.
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▪ In the back of an ancient pickup truck with a missionary and five students, we rattled up a mountain about two hours outside Antiqua, Guatemala. We were halfway to the village when the sky burst open. The rain fell in such sheets that Forrest Gump might even admire them as unique. I was soaked to the bone and giddily laughing at the thought that I didn’t ever imagine I’d be doing things like this when I was in my systematic theology class a few years back. But this is the way life is, right? Life doesn’t come with a lot of fineprint warnings of dangers ahead, but in the end these moments are often the things we remember. The apostle Paul’s life was definitely an off-road adventure filled with shipwrecks, vipers, demons, jail-time, and conflict. But ultimately, think of the glory and reward he received when his life ended and he entered into the presence of Jesus. The good stuff is usually in the all-terrain vehicle. David Livingstone, missionary to Africa, once received a message from his missionary society. They asked him to let them know when he had good roads so they could send him associates to aid his work. Livingstone sent this word back, “If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.” I think of Livingstone’s words when life takes hairpin turns into chaos. Life can be a messy, unpredictable journey, but the best destinations are almost always off the beaten path. It’s where Jesus often takes us as we follow Him.
FRIDAY APRIL 27
Ephesians 6:10-13 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens (v. 12).
Don’t pretend you aren’t at war. There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan. –C. S. LEWIS
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Ephesians 6:10-13. ▪ How have you experienced spiritual warfare recently? ▪ How is God teaching
you to be better prepared for the daily warfare? Pray: Ask God to help you as you prepare for spiritual battles. Thank Him that you do not fight alone.
▪ Spiritual warfare has always seemed a taboo topic to me. Even though Satan, demons, and unseen forces are discussed throughout Scripture, it’s not something to which I’ve devoted a lot of thought. I prefer a much more pragmatic approach. Instead of looking for the devil behind every bush, I’d rather assume that all suffering, struggles, and temptations are my own fault or caused by other tangible forces. I think minimizing the role of an unseen enemy gives me a greater sense of control. But Paul had no problem talking about spiritual warfare. He knew firsthand the spiritual battle being fought. He had experienced it in his missionary journeys, and he knew that other believers would be in the same fight. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul explains that the battle believers face is against all kinds of evil powers and rulers that we can’t see. He urges us to be prepared by putting on the armor of God so that we can stand against Satan’s attacks. My choice to avoid the reality of spiritual warfare threatens to impede my spiritual growth and prayer life. By not acknowledging the unseen battle raging all around me, I’m also failing to adequately prepare myself. Ephesians 6 is our wake-up call to be on guard, put on the strength of God, and deepen our resolve to pray. We don’t go into this fight alone. God has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us and fight for us. We can call on Him to intercede on our behalf. The good news of Scripture is that through Christ the victory is already ours. STANDFIRM 35
SATURDAY APRIL 28
John 4:1-14 “But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again” (v. 14).
He has no limits. He offers living water: grace that is sufficient, guidance that is unfailing, promises that have proved over and over to be unfailing and true. –V. RAYMOND EDMAN
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: John 4:1-14. ▪ In what areas do you put limits on God? What happens to you as you do that? ▪ Spend some time meditating on Jesus’ unlimited ability to provide for us. Pray: Ask the Lord to increase your faith, helping you to trust Him for what you need.
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▪ The Samaritan woman came to the well midday, surprised to find a Jewish man resting there. He offered her something called living water. Her response was disbelief: “You don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep.” In other words, He had no capacity to draw refreshment. Imagine looking into the face of Omnipotence and telling Him that He has no means and no ability! The woman incorrectly deduced that her present resources, a stone jar and her ability to draw water, were greater than this man’s. How her perspective would shift when she realized who this really was. I wonder how many times we look at our situation with human eyes and then look into the face of God as if to say, “You have nothing by which to help me. You have no ability to draw water that I need for this situation.” Our marriage may not be as strong as we desire in some areas, and we think, “It will always be this way.” We find our finances strained, and we despair: “There’s no hope for change.” We find our job unfulfilling and complain, “I’ll never have satisfying work.” But Jesus has no limits. He needs no resources. No line of worry appears on His face. If He wants to give us His living water, He needs no help. We can bring our needs to the illimitable One. The woman told Him, “The well is deep.” Yet no problem exists so deep that He cannot reach into its depths and give the living water that is needed. Come to Him today for guidance, hope, provision, satisfaction — whatever you need. He has no limits.
SUNDAY APRIL 29
Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (v. 24).
Build on this rock. Where I found truth, there found I my God, who is the Truth itself. –AUGUSTINE
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Matthew 7:24-27. ▪ Can you recall a time when you tried to build your life on a foundation other than Christ? ▪ What did you learn from that experience that might encourage others to build their lives on Christ? Pray: Ask Him to help you build your life on the rock of Christ’s teachings so that you can endure life’s storms.
▪ My mom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis several years ago. MS is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own white blood cells attack it, damaging nerve fibers in the brain and along the spine. Some people lose their vision. Others lose their ability to walk. Other people, however, experience the brunt of the disease on a cognitive level and have trouble with memory and speech. One of the most dizzying aspects of the disease is that just as quickly as it takes something away from a person (such as their eyesight), it sometimes gives it right back. This can leave people suffering from MS in a constant state of flux. For my mom, it’s been one of life’s unexpected storms. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus painted the picture of two people building a home. As far as we can tell, the homes looked exactly the same, but the true test of the integrity of the homes came when the storms arrived. The man who built his house on the sand lost everything when the rain fell and the wind blew, but the man who built his house on the rock endured the storm. My mom and I are thankful that modern medicine has advanced. Her neurologist told her that there are so many more treatment options available today. However, what my mom and I are most thankful for is the truth of Christ’s words. They have given us strength during life’s unpredictable storms. We can’t always choose or control the events that happen to us, but as believers we are expected to build on the bedrock of Christ’s words. STANDFIRM 37
MONDAY APRIL 30
Psalm 63:1-8 When I think of you as I lie on my bed, I meditate on you during the night watches (v. 6).
Silence is godly. The sole cause of man’s unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room. –BLAISE PASCAL
CONSIDER THIS ▪ Read: Psalm 63:1-8. ▪ Is the use of your phone or technology addictive? What do you think is the energy behind that pull? ▪ How are you seeking silence in your day? How is God seeking you in the silence? Pray: Take time to spend 15 minutes in silence today. Allow God to speak into your soul.
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▪ My wife and kids were away the night a violent thunderstorm hit our town and the electricity went out. At that moment, I was watching a football game, scanning Twitter® and listening to music. When darkness arrived in a split second, I realized that the battery on my iPhone® was almost gone. A brief moment of panic ensued. I knew that in a matter of minutes I would be thrust into the lifestyle millions of people lived in before electricity. The silence and lack of media connection were unnerving at first. It was then that I sensed God speaking to me about my addiction to noise. After 15 minutes, I had rediscovered the beauty of silence. These days, silence is something men have to fight to achieve, but it is definitely worth the fight. The National Center of Biotechnology Information stated in a study that two minutes of silence is more relaxing than listening to any relaxing music, based on changes in blood pressure and blood circulation in the brain. However, this is not new knowledge for people of the Book. The Bible urges us to experience silence as a spiritual discipline. Every day we are faced with the choice of constant noise and blather, or intentional, Jesus-focused silence. Don’t wait for a power outage in order to spend time in silence. God might be trying to tell you something, but all the ambient noise and entertainment leave you deaf to His voice. I believe we would be astounded by all God wants to say to us, yet He often never gets a chance because of our preoccupation with news, messages, conversations, and entertainment. Silence isn’t just golden. It’s godly.
BY PHIL CALLAWAY
I NS TANT A DVENTU R E
ILLUSTR ATION B Y TR AVIS FOSTER
O
NCE I WANTED the one thing I knew would bring me a mother lode of happiness: a set of walkietalkies. The ad promised, “You’ll have instant adventure!” Nothing happened in our neighborhood. I wanted adventure. Plus, you could learn Morse code. If you ever got separated from your family, you could call for help. If they had their walkietalkies on, they could rescue you. The Radi-Vox® variety of walkie-talkie shipped from Kearney, Nebraska, had a built-in telescoping antenna. It used “inductive field magnetic radiation.” Imagine. You could have radiation right there with you. You could hold it close to your head. Sure enough, on Christmas morning, I woke up to a dream. Two walkietalkies. My friend and I tried them out. But what do boys of 8 or 9 talk about? Girls? No. I spent the entirety of my walkie-talkie life asking if my friend could hear me. Sometimes a guy on a ham radio would cut in on us. Or we’d hear strange music. I think I heard the group Abba one time. They weren’t even around yet. Finally I managed a 10-minute conversation with my friend only to discover that two minutes into it he had set the walkie-talkie down and went home.
GOOD HUMOR
It wasn’t the last time I’d be disappointed. In fifth grade I ran for class president. I ran even faster when I saw the election results. In high school, I auditioned for the basketball team. If hoops were 8 feet wide, I’d have made it. Oswald Chambers once said that disappointment is “the unfathomable sadness of the ‘might have been.’” In Genesis 29, Jacob agreed to work seven years for the right to marry Rachel. But he got a wedding night surprise. He had married Leah, not Rachel, whom he loved. Imagine. But 20 chapters later, Genesis tells us that it was Leah Jacob honored. Twenty centuries later, through the lineage of Leah, who turned to God in her disappointment, Jesus our Savior was born. Are you disappointed? Pray. Wait. And remember, God can redeem even this. SF
Phil Callaway is host of Laugh Again Radio (laughagain.us) and the author of 27 books.
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