Encouragement for Men

DEVOTION: “Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth.” Proverbs 5:18 We read this verse of scripture and sometimes wonder how can we accomplish such a thing? Does marriage really work like the Bible tells us? Life has changed. We’ve changed. Maybe there is some truth to that. However, I challenge you to consider why it has become your truth.

DEVOTION: It is a chilling thought to one day realize that your children are observing your life, logging your activities, and repeating your actions, whether good or bad. I know from personal experience that what I observed from my own father’s behavior served as both a positive and negative influence on my role as a husband and father.

DEVOTION: In late fall of 1990, Operation Desert Shield became Operation Desert Storm. That meant war. I still remember holding my breath as President George H. Bush addressed the nation on television and spoke the words every military family dreads. He was authorizing the call-up of reservists. Jim was an Army Reservist. As a registered pharmacist, he was assigned to the Medical Service Corps. After 25 years of routine monthly meetings and after Jim finally qualified for army retirement, we were not prepared for what could happen.

DEVOTION: This is normally the time of year every high school, college, and grad student looks forward to; a commencement ceremony to celebrate and applaud their years of diligence and hard work. This year the activities may look a little different, but there are some things that remain the same.

DEVOTION: Jesus tells us in John 13:34, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” What does this kind of love look like? It is a sacrifice of self, which includes our expectations. This can be hard as it’s opposite of how our natural mind, and desires, works. This kind of love involves effort, not mere emotion. It requires action, not just feeling. It comes from God and leads us to being content.

DEVOTION: 

What type of objections have you experienced when sharing the Gospel with other people? What answers do you find most useful to help overcome someone’s skepticism? 

The Christian faith demands we have enough compassion to learn the questions of our generation and go to the Bible for its answers. Lord, give me the hope and faith I need to be a Godly witness during this time. Amen.

DEVOTION: Jesus was the Son of God, yet he was the ultimate servant. Perhaps my favorite verse about our Lord is Matthew 20:28: "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." One thing that touches my heart about this truth is that it is written in the book of Matthew, and Matthew is the Gospel that most exalts Jesus, as Messiah, the King! Yet, serving was a strong quality in King Jesus’ life – a priority and a way of life for Him.

DEVOTION: Jesus also must have been considering His own future suffering when He encouraged John the Baptist that his suffering and humble service were for the greater purpose of offering redemption and eternal life for all. This is a wonderful time to thank God for the gift of His Son, our Savior, and those saints who came before us proclaiming the Gospel.

DEVOTION: Commitment, loyalty, and selflessness are so essential in any friendship. David and Jonathan’s friendship was characterized by these qualities even in the midst of adversity. They loved and encouraged each other in the Lord.  They met as young men and warriors, and our last glimpse of their faithful friendship is of David mourning Jonathan’s death. Theirs was a to-the-end-no-matter-what friendship. Choose to be like David and Jonathan. 

DEVOTION: Every prayer you lift up for your friends reaches God’s ears and heart. Ask Him to use His power, strength, and wisdom to help the people you care about. Are you friends with others who encourage and build you up in the faith? Are you making the effort to grow spiritually so you can be that kind of friend to others?

 

DEVOTION: When we think of what we want in life, joy & peace rank high. In God's Word, we have the source of both! But to enjoy these two desired qualities, we must follow the apostle Paul's 'to-do' list. What does this look like? What are we to do?

During Operation Desert Storm, my husband Jim’s Army unit began preparing to go to war.  As we finalized our will, discussed with our daughters the possibility Jim may not come home, and updated insurance forms, I tried to cope with fear, anxiety, & uncertainty. Here's what I learned about managing emotions.