WHAT DOES IT REALLY TAKE TO BE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?
Simple obedience? The word “obey” is one of the least used and understood words in American culture today. It seems antiquated, irrelevant and
YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU DO
You’ve just been introduced to someone for the first time. There are a couple of niceties exchanged and then without fail, almost
WHY YOU WILL WANT TO BE PHYSICALLY FIT
There are so many challenges you face every day, that if you don’t get in shape and toughen up, you will not
THE FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF A MAN’S LIFE
There are four areas of Life that every man faces every day. And the way they are handled will bring either joy
LEARN GOD’S TAKE ON MONEY
The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, fewer than 500 verses on faith, and more than 2,000 verses about money!In fact, 15
GOD’S POWER TO LOVE YOUR SPOUSE
If you are a married man or plan on getting married you will expect to be happily married to the woman you
DEFINING SUCCESS FOR YOURSELF
"Show Me The Money!" That line out of the Tom Cruise movie, Jerry Maguire, pretty much tells the story for most American men.
8 STEPS TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE
Knowing what it takes to consistently love your wife in such a way that it guarantees that you will have a happy
7 STEPS TO CREATING INTIMACY WITH GOD
God made you. God loves you. God has a purpose for your life. The classic definition from the Westminster Catechism sums up our
WHO’S GOT YOUR BACK?
I’m a guy who, probably like you, prefers action movies. My favorites almost always seem to be battles of war based on
HOW TO HANDLE BULLIES!
There isn’t a single human on earth who at some point doesn’t have to deal with a bully. Define bully any way
MAYBE FOLLOWING JESUS ISN’T SUCH A GOOD IDEA?
“They left everything and followed him.” Lk 5:11After meeting Jesus the apostles made a radical decision that would change their lives forever. But
WHY IS THE “GOSPEL” CALLED GOOD NEWS?
Our men’s Bible study was looking to get a better grip on the meaning of the “Gospel. ”So we asked, “What exactly is
TAKING THINGS FOR GRANTED?
On occasion I’m able to walk the beach and catch a sunrise. The beauty and magnificence of God’s artwork can take anyone’s
HOW COME YOUR FAITH ISN’T GETTING YOU WHAT YOU WANT?
Okay so maybe you have been standing firm in your faith believing God for something you truly believe is His will. Could be
YOU CAN’T STOP GOD’S BLESSINGS!
Does it ever seem to you that sometimes God’s blessings are unstoppable?Unstoppable for others that is! Why does God do that? You peer
WHO’S GOT YOUR BACK?
I’m a guy who, probably like you, prefers action movies. My favorites almost always seem to be battles of war based on true stories.
While I’m sure that I vicariously put myself in the movie as one of the diehard heroes willing to give my life for someone else, the bigger theme is that it takes a team to get it done.
You may have seen the acronym T-E-A-M, which stands for Together Everyone Achieves More. Kind of corny, but very true. None of the missions in each of these stories would have been accomplished if it were just one man attempting to do it all by himself.
So it is with you, I mean us, that is!
You simply should not and cannot go through the battles of life without the support of other men. Guys who will have your back.
But the reality is, very few men are in that kind of band of brothers relationship with a group of men whom they can trust.
So, two questions for you:
1. Why is that?
2. Who’s got your back?
I think it is fair to say that in general men today are confused as to who they are, who they’re “supposed” to be, and how that plays out in everyday life. Unfortunately, without some role models, men are left trying to figure it all out on their own.
So where do we go to see how a band of brothers live it out? And how do you make certain you are in a relationship with men who will have your back?
First and foremost, you want to be with men who are spiritually-minded and intent on living out their faith as a true follower of Jesus. They are mission-minded, helping each other practice what they believe. And they are always on the lookout for others who need that same kind of help.
When they get together, they want to study the Bible and they want to learn what God has to say about how to live their lives. They pray together. They talk through their struggles, their questions, their fears, and they celebrate their victories. And yes, they have fun and genuinely enjoy one another’s company.
There is an authentic, unbreakable commitment to each other that assures each one that they are in this faith walk together and have each other’s back.
So who is your band of brothers? Do you have brothers whom you know for certain have your back?
If you don’t, make it your top priority. Because if you don’t have a band of brothers to walk it out with, you will fail. You cannot grow and you will not be effective in your faith without help from other men. Don’t let yourself be fooled into thinking you are strong enough and dedicated enough on your own.
The 12 disciples of Jesus needed each other. Even Jesus himself was not a maverick but lived it out with his band of brothers.
Men who love Jesus and want to follow Him simply need to be around other men who love Jesus.
I’ve seen too many men washout on the slippery slopes that challenge their faith. They start out strong but hold onto their independence, believing it is a sign of strength. Too afraid to show weakness, they end up becoming weaker by trying to go it alone.
In contrast, I have seen and experienced for myself the strength that comes when godly men are in a relationship with other godly men. They get stronger as they walk it out together, encouraging and challenging each other.
So, what is stopping you? Hopefully it’s not your pride. If, on the other hand, you’re just not sure how to plugin with other godly men, then let me give you a couple of suggestions.
First make certain you are plugged into a Bible-believing, gospel-preaching church. If your church does not have a program for disciplining men, then you have two choices:
1. Leave that church and find one that does.
2. Start a men’s group yourself with the blessing of the pastor and elders.
It can be as simple as picking a night of the week or an early morning and inviting men to gather to study the Bible and help each other walk out their faith.
While our men’s group has used a variety of resources over the years, our mainstay is simply the Bible. We take a book of the Bible and walk through a portion each week to find out what is on God’s heart and how we can apply His principles as followers of Jesus.
Another great way to bond with a band of brothers is to go to a men’s retreat or even a missions trip. Not long ago, I had the awesome privilege of joining a small group of men from our church’s “Extreme Team.” We backpacked into remote villages in the Himalayas to bring the gospel to the unreached.
It was one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced, physically, mentally and spiritually. But it was the kind of experience shared with other like-minded men that bonded us together as brothers who will follow Jesus anywhere.
There are no shortages of ideas and opportunities for you to take advantage of if you are committed to go on your spiritual journey with other men who have your back.
My hope and prayer for you is that you don’t delay for one day longer, but you commit to finding or forming a band of brothers and make it a priority in your life.
WHO’S GOT YOUR BACK?
I’m a guy who, probably like you, prefers action movies. My favorites almost always seem to be battles of war based on true stories.
While I’m sure that I vicariously put myself in the movie as one of the diehard heroes willing to give my life for someone else, the bigger theme is that it takes a team to get it done.
You may have seen the acronym T-E-A-M, which stands for Together Everyone Achieves More. Kind of corny, but very true. None of the missions in each of these stories would have been accomplished if it were just one man attempting to do it all by himself.
So it is with you, I mean us, that is!
You simply should not and cannot go through the battles of life without the support of other men. Guys who will have your back.
But the reality is, very few men are in that kind of band of brothers relationship with a group of men whom they can trust.
So, two questions for you:
1. Why is that?
2. Who’s got your back?
I think it is fair to say that in general men today are confused as to who they are, who they’re “supposed” to be, and how that plays out in everyday life. Unfortunately, without some role models, men are left trying to figure it all out on their own.
So where do we go to see how a band of brothers live it out? And how do you make certain you are in a relationship with men who will have your back?
First and foremost, you want to be with men who are spiritually-minded and intent on living out their faith as a true follower of Jesus. They are mission-minded, helping each other practice what they believe. And they are always on the lookout for others who need that same kind of help.
When they get together, they want to study the Bible and they want to learn what God has to say about how to live their lives. They pray together. They talk through their struggles, their questions, their fears, and they celebrate their victories. And yes, they have fun and genuinely enjoy one another’s company.
There is an authentic, unbreakable commitment to each other that assures each one that they are in this faith walk together and have each other’s back.
So who is your band of brothers? Do you have brothers whom you know for certain have your back?
If you don’t, make it your top priority. Because if you don’t have a band of brothers to walk it out with, you will fail. You cannot grow and you will not be effective in your faith without help from other men. Don’t let yourself be fooled into thinking you are strong enough and dedicated enough on your own.
The 12 disciples of Jesus needed each other. Even Jesus himself was not a maverick but lived it out with his band of brothers.
Men who love Jesus and want to follow Him simply need to be around other men who love Jesus.
I’ve seen too many men washout on the slippery slopes that challenge their faith. They start out strong but hold onto their independence, believing it is a sign of strength. Too afraid to show weakness, they end up becoming weaker by trying to go it alone.
In contrast, I have seen and experienced for myself the strength that comes when godly men are in a relationship with other godly men. They get stronger as they walk it out together, encouraging and challenging each other.
So, what is stopping you? Hopefully it’s not your pride. If, on the other hand, you’re just not sure how to plugin with other godly men, then let me give you a couple of suggestions.
First make certain you are plugged into a Bible-believing, gospel-preaching church. If your church does not have a program for disciplining men, then you have two choices:
1. Leave that church and find one that does.
2. Start a men’s group yourself with the blessing of the pastor and elders.
It can be as simple as picking a night of the week or an early morning and inviting men to gather to study the Bible and help each other walk out their faith.
While our men’s group has used a variety of resources over the years, our mainstay is simply the Bible. We take a book of the Bible and walk through a portion each week to find out what is on God’s heart and how we can apply His principles as followers of Jesus.
Another great way to bond with a band of brothers is to go to a men’s retreat or even a missions trip. Not long ago, I had the awesome privilege of joining a small group of men from our church’s “Extreme Team.” We backpacked into remote villages in the Himalayas to bring the gospel to the unreached.
It was one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced, physically, mentally and spiritually. But it was the kind of experience shared with other like-minded men that bonded us together as brothers who will follow Jesus anywhere.
There are no shortages of ideas and opportunities for you to take advantage of if you are committed to go on your spiritual journey with other men who have your back.
My hope and prayer for you is that you don’t delay for one day longer, but you commit to finding or forming a band of brothers and make it a priority in your life.