“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” — Matthew 18:20 One of the things rarely discussed about prayer is how easy it is to sound spiritual while hiding what is actually happening in your heart. Many men have learned to pray polished prayers that reveal very little. They know the right words, but they never expose the real struggle...
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” — Colossians 3:16 One of the things rarely talked about is how easy it is for Christian conversations to drift away from Scripture. We share opinions, compare experiences, and offer advice...
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” — Psalm 127:1 We often ask God to bless our plans instead of inviting Him to shape them. We make the decision, choose the direction, and begin walking the trail. Only after we encounter difficulty do we stop and ask...
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” — John 16:13 The Holy Spirit doesn’t simply point the way at major intersections in life. He leads us every day, in ordinary decisions, quiet convictions...
“And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach.” — Mark 3:14 Jesus never designed discipleship to happen from a distance. Before the Twelve preached a sermon, performed a miracle, or led anyone else, “He appointed twelve, so that they might be with Him” (Mark 3:14). That was their first...
“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” — 1 Corinthians 9:22 Discipleship is determined as much by our pace as it is by our teaching. We often measure progress by how quickly someone changes, but God is far more interested in whether we faithfully walk with them along the way. Paul...
“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” — 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Faithfulness is measured less by what we accomplish and more by who we continue to walk beside. We often define a faithful man by his achievements, his ministry, or the responsibilities he...
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” — Luke 16:10 Trust isn’t built when life is at its hardest. By then, you’re simply discovering whether trust already exists. Real trust is built long before the crisis arrives. It’s formed in the ordinary moments when no one is...
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” — Romans 12:15 One of the things rarely discussed is that walking with another man isn’t only about helping him through the hard seasons. It’s just as important to celebrate the good ones. Most of us have no problem showing up when there’s a crisis to solve. We like having an answer, offering advice, or...
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16 When most men hear the phrase “walking by the Spirit,” they often think about avoiding sin. While that is certainly part of it, there is something deeper that is often left unsaid. Many men approach the Christian life the same way they approach a difficult trail. They plan, tighten...