Over the years, I’ve discovered seven traits that real men possess other than faith in God: Integrity – Integrity is more than being honest. It’s a lifestyle set on striving towards moral excellence. Real men say what they mean and mean what they say. They are the same person whether or not others are watching. They are trustworthy, dependable, and unwavering. Compassion – Compassion is sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it. In other words, you feel compelled to help someone who is hurting. Men aren’t often viewed as being compassionate, but it is a trait that helps us to become more connected to the people around us. Real men turn their compassion into service and work to make the world a better place. Confidence – Real men are confident. Many people confuse confidence with arrogance and self-centeredness. Real men know the difference. Confidence is about being self-assured and self-aware. Confident men have faith in their abilities and knowledge. They don’t need to tear others down in order to build themselves up. They earn people’s trust with their radiant, inner strength. When a they walk into the room, everyone takes notice. Self-control – Hardly a day goes by without a news report about some high-profile man who has been destroyed by sex, money, and/or drugs. Too many men lack self-control, but it is the foundation of a virtuous life. Self-control starts with focus and ridding yourself of distractions. Doing this isn’t easy because temptations lurk around every corner. Real men are able to tame their desires and channel that energy into positive pursuits. Perseverance – Perseverance is the product of self-control. It is courageous resistance against difficult circumstances. Perseverance is only developed through trials. Real men endure the trials and emerge stronger. They never give up. Bravery – Bravery is the courage to do what is right regardless of the circumstances. Nothing is ever accomplished with an attitude of passivity. Real men stand up in the face of adversity. Humility – Today’s breed of young men loves to let everyone know how much swagger they have. They thump their chests and proclaim to the world, “I’m a Big Deal. Look at me!” Real men understand the value of being humble and letting someone else’s light shine. They realize that humility is more endearing than self-importance. Humility indicates that you are ridding yourself of the poison of self-centeredness. Besides, humility softens the blow when someone knocks you off your pedestal. Many men have or need more than just these few traits.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Seven Traits
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Shake it off
One of my favorite stories is about a farmer's donkey that fell into a dry well. The animal cried pitifully for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do for his poor donkey. Finally, he concluded that the well was too deep, and it really needed to be covered up anyway. Besides, the donkey was old, and it would be a lot of trouble to get him out of the pit. The farmer decided that it was not worth trying to retrieve the animal, so he asked his neighbors to help him fill in the well and bury the donkey.
They all grabbed shovels and began to toss dirt into the well. The donkey immediately realized what was happening, and he began to bray horribly. Crying would be our normal response if somebody was mistreating us this badly, so this donkey was responding the same way we would at first, but then he got real quiet. A few shovel loads of dirt later, the farmer looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit the donkey's back, the donkey would shake it off and step on top of it.
As the neighbors and the farmer continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he continued to shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon the donkey shook off the last shovel full of dirt, took a step up, and walked right out of the well. We can learn so much from this story. When trouble comes, if we will get still and listen, God will tell us what to do.
By the grace and mercy of God, I was able to shake off a lot of things in my life, a lot of hurt feelings, a lot of mistreatment, a lot of abuse, a lot of unfair, unjust, unkind things. Just like the donkey, in order to keep pressing on and have victory in our lives, we are going to have to learn to shake off the troubles that come our way.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Are you abusing sex?
Well I have something to say!
Abusing sex is what we are doing. Not to say many of us have been sexually abused, this is real talk. Now let us look at where we are positioned in this.
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:28 KJV)
Thie verse above must enlighten my personal darkness. Not merely as heterosexual or same-sex, yet as human beings. God Very Holy God, Righteous and True, all knowing and all seeing communicates to us His Sovereign law.
God showed us His truth and lit up our dark minds what we had not a clue about. No human come out of woman is exempt. God said "but" in spite of what you know, what you think or believe; "but I" Says God, "say unto you." Man, woman, boy, or girl, I say, I say unto you.
We do have a choice as sure as Adam and Eve had a choice to sin or not to sin in the Garden of Eden to change our thinking from unrighteousness to righteousness. This happens when we do not allow our flesh to overcome us due to a good recognizable sensation. That sinful thing which made us feel good in the past, and for which I am all to guilty.
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:28 KJV)
According to God looking into sinful thoughts makes us guilty of adultery. Yes it soothes the wanton lust in the depths of our corrupt flesh, and preys on the very weakness of our souls, but in the end their are wages one must pay for sin. Lust attributes can well produce this pricey death wage on our soul.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 KJV)
Roman 6:23 speak to our dark denial or do we turn up our hearts death ear? After all the sin is committed in our hearts.
God and Adultery?
Th first mention to mankind from God about adultery was: Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14 KJV) No explanation here only commandment, "do not do it."
God knew man new what man was doing was wrong because of how man committed the sin of adultery. Man hid his sin. Hiding sin is the contributing factor to our guilt. Notice this in our very own lives and in Adam and Eve.
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:7 KJV)
If we admit to our sin or never admit to our sin, yet instead try to make atonement for our (sewing fig leaves is mans first false religion) sin outside of Christ Jesus suffering in our stead by dying on the cross, being buried, and raising up out of the grave on the third day for the total sin cleansing, forgiveness, wrath of God stopper, plus more Godly benefits, then we continue the false religion of sewing fig leaves to atone for our sin.
Adultrey to God mean the Greek word "na'aph" One who breaks wedlock. Unlawful intercourse, eating things sacrificed to idols. To God it is a spiritual sin as it is physical sin. I know that my spiritual relationship is not merely spiritual as the world deems these days.
I actually have an appointment with God and most definitely better be bring my Lawyer, my Propitiator the Lamb of God with me when I stand before the Throne in the first Judgement at the Bema Seat of Christ. If we commit adultery with each other God will have no reverence and love from us.
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:28 KJV)
Abusing sex is what we are doing. Not to say many of us have been sexually abused, this is real talk. Now let us look at where we are positioned in this.
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:28 KJV)
Thie verse above must enlighten my personal darkness. Not merely as heterosexual or same-sex, yet as human beings. God Very Holy God, Righteous and True, all knowing and all seeing communicates to us His Sovereign law.
God showed us His truth and lit up our dark minds what we had not a clue about. No human come out of woman is exempt. God said "but" in spite of what you know, what you think or believe; "but I" Says God, "say unto you." Man, woman, boy, or girl, I say, I say unto you.
We do have a choice as sure as Adam and Eve had a choice to sin or not to sin in the Garden of Eden to change our thinking from unrighteousness to righteousness. This happens when we do not allow our flesh to overcome us due to a good recognizable sensation. That sinful thing which made us feel good in the past, and for which I am all to guilty.
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:28 KJV)
According to God looking into sinful thoughts makes us guilty of adultery. Yes it soothes the wanton lust in the depths of our corrupt flesh, and preys on the very weakness of our souls, but in the end their are wages one must pay for sin. Lust attributes can well produce this pricey death wage on our soul.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 KJV)
Roman 6:23 speak to our dark denial or do we turn up our hearts death ear? After all the sin is committed in our hearts.
God and Adultery?
Th first mention to mankind from God about adultery was: Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14 KJV) No explanation here only commandment, "do not do it."
God knew man new what man was doing was wrong because of how man committed the sin of adultery. Man hid his sin. Hiding sin is the contributing factor to our guilt. Notice this in our very own lives and in Adam and Eve.
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:7 KJV)
If we admit to our sin or never admit to our sin, yet instead try to make atonement for our (sewing fig leaves is mans first false religion) sin outside of Christ Jesus suffering in our stead by dying on the cross, being buried, and raising up out of the grave on the third day for the total sin cleansing, forgiveness, wrath of God stopper, plus more Godly benefits, then we continue the false religion of sewing fig leaves to atone for our sin.
Adultrey to God mean the Greek word "na'aph" One who breaks wedlock. Unlawful intercourse, eating things sacrificed to idols. To God it is a spiritual sin as it is physical sin. I know that my spiritual relationship is not merely spiritual as the world deems these days.
I actually have an appointment with God and most definitely better be bring my Lawyer, my Propitiator the Lamb of God with me when I stand before the Throne in the first Judgement at the Bema Seat of Christ. If we commit adultery with each other God will have no reverence and love from us.
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:28 KJV)
Take a Praise Pause
I don't think anything blesses God more
than when we stop right in the middle of what we're doing sometimes and
lift our hands to worship Him or take a moment to bow down before Him
and say, "I love You, Lord." In the scripture for today, the psalmist
says he took time seven times a day and all day long to praise God.
Think about a businessman, for example, maybe the president of a large company. Wouldn't it be wonderful if two or three times a day, he would close the door to his office, turn the lock, kneel, and say, "God, I just want to take some time to worship You. Father, all these things You are giving me - the business, the money, the success - are great, but I just want to worship You. I magnify You. You are so wonderful. I love You. You are all I need. Father, I worship You. Jesus, I worship You. Holy Spirit, I worship You." I believe that if the businessman did that, he would never need to be concerned about his business, his finances, or success. All of those things would be taken care of.
Matthew 6:33 (KJV) says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Think about a businessman, for example, maybe the president of a large company. Wouldn't it be wonderful if two or three times a day, he would close the door to his office, turn the lock, kneel, and say, "God, I just want to take some time to worship You. Father, all these things You are giving me - the business, the money, the success - are great, but I just want to worship You. I magnify You. You are so wonderful. I love You. You are all I need. Father, I worship You. Jesus, I worship You. Holy Spirit, I worship You." I believe that if the businessman did that, he would never need to be concerned about his business, his finances, or success. All of those things would be taken care of.
Matthew 6:33 (KJV) says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Friday, July 20, 2012
Get Reappointed
All of us become disappointed when we have a
plan that fails, a hope that does not materialize, a goal that is
unreached. When things like that happen, for a certain period of time we
experience a letdown, one that can lead to depression if it is not
handled properly.
That's when we have to make the decision to adapt and adjust, to take a new approach, to just keep going despite our feelings. That's when we must remember that we have the Greater One residing within us, so that no matter what may happen to frustrate us, or how long it may take for our dreams and goals to become reality, we are not going to give up and quit just because of our emotions. That is when we must remember what God once told me in just such a moment: "When you get disappointed, you can always make the decision to get reappointed!"
Disappointment often leads to discouragement, which is even more of a "downer." How disappointing and discouraging it is to see the things we love senselessly destroyed by others or, even worse, by our own neglect or failure.
Regardless of how it may happen or who may be responsible, it is hard to go on when everything we have counted on falls down around us. That's when those of us who have the creative power of the Holy Spirit on the inside can get a new vision, a new direction, and a new goal to help us overcome the downward pull of disappointment, discouragement, and destruction.
That's when we have to make the decision to adapt and adjust, to take a new approach, to just keep going despite our feelings. That's when we must remember that we have the Greater One residing within us, so that no matter what may happen to frustrate us, or how long it may take for our dreams and goals to become reality, we are not going to give up and quit just because of our emotions. That is when we must remember what God once told me in just such a moment: "When you get disappointed, you can always make the decision to get reappointed!"
Disappointment often leads to discouragement, which is even more of a "downer." How disappointing and discouraging it is to see the things we love senselessly destroyed by others or, even worse, by our own neglect or failure.
Regardless of how it may happen or who may be responsible, it is hard to go on when everything we have counted on falls down around us. That's when those of us who have the creative power of the Holy Spirit on the inside can get a new vision, a new direction, and a new goal to help us overcome the downward pull of disappointment, discouragement, and destruction.
Monday, July 16, 2012
But God!
There is a little phrase in the Bible that I get
excited about every time I come across it. It is just two little words,
but it is found throughout the Bible and is probably one of the most
powerful two-word phrases in it. It is simply this: But God . . .
As we go through the Bible, we constantly read disastrous reports of the terrible things the devil had planned for God's people. Then we come to this little phrase, But God . . ., and the next thing we read about is a victory. In the above scripture, the fact is mentioned that we are all sinners, a condition that deserves punishment and death. The phrase But God . . . interrupts the process. God's love is brought into the situation and changes everything.
While we were sinners, Christ died for us, and by doing so, proved His love for us. He proved that His love interrupts the devastation of sin. When God called me into the ministry, people told me, "Joyce, a group of us have been talking, and we feel that there is no way you are ever going to be able to do what you say God has told you that you are going to do. We don't feel your personality is suitable for such a job." I still remember how awful I felt when they said those things to me.
I was hurt and discouraged . . . but God had called me, and He qualified me. What others thought was not even usable, God saw value in. He helped me, and He will do the same thing for you.
As we go through the Bible, we constantly read disastrous reports of the terrible things the devil had planned for God's people. Then we come to this little phrase, But God . . ., and the next thing we read about is a victory. In the above scripture, the fact is mentioned that we are all sinners, a condition that deserves punishment and death. The phrase But God . . . interrupts the process. God's love is brought into the situation and changes everything.
While we were sinners, Christ died for us, and by doing so, proved His love for us. He proved that His love interrupts the devastation of sin. When God called me into the ministry, people told me, "Joyce, a group of us have been talking, and we feel that there is no way you are ever going to be able to do what you say God has told you that you are going to do. We don't feel your personality is suitable for such a job." I still remember how awful I felt when they said those things to me.
I was hurt and discouraged . . . but God had called me, and He qualified me. What others thought was not even usable, God saw value in. He helped me, and He will do the same thing for you.
Choose life!
We will never enjoy life unless we make a quality
decision to do so. Satan is an expert at stealing and our joy is one of
his favorite targets. Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the joy of the Lord is
our strength. In John 10:10 we are told that "the thief" comes to kill,
steal, and destroy, but that Jesus came that we might have and enjoy
life. Satan is the thief, and one of the things he seeks to steal is our
joy. If he can steal our joy from us, we will be weak; and when we are
weak, the enemy takes advantage of us.
Weak believers are no threat to him and his work of destruction. In order to live as God intends for us to live, the first thing we must do is truly believe that it is God's will for us to experience continual joy. Then we must decide to enter into that joy. Experiencing enjoyment in our souls is vitally important to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Proverbs 17:22 says, "A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." It is God's will for us to enjoy life! Now it is time to decide to enter into the full and abundant life that God wills for us.
Joy and enjoyment are available just as misery is available. Righteousness and peace are available and so are condemnation and turmoil. There are blessings and curses available, and that is why Deuteronomy 30:19 tells us to choose life and blessings.
Weak believers are no threat to him and his work of destruction. In order to live as God intends for us to live, the first thing we must do is truly believe that it is God's will for us to experience continual joy. Then we must decide to enter into that joy. Experiencing enjoyment in our souls is vitally important to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Proverbs 17:22 says, "A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." It is God's will for us to enjoy life! Now it is time to decide to enter into the full and abundant life that God wills for us.
Joy and enjoyment are available just as misery is available. Righteousness and peace are available and so are condemnation and turmoil. There are blessings and curses available, and that is why Deuteronomy 30:19 tells us to choose life and blessings.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Love: Your First Priority
Where does love fit into your list of
priorities? Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love
one another; as I have loved you" (JOHN 13:34 NKJV). It seems to me
that Jesus was saying love is the main thing on which we should
concentrate. The apostle Paul states that "faith, hope, love abide . . .
but the greatest of these is love" (1 CORINTHIANS 13:13).
Love should be number one on our spiritual priority list. We should study love, pray about love, and develop the fruit of love by practicing loving others. God is love, so when we walk in His love we abide in Him.
Because we walk in God's love by receiving and expressing it, we should not deceive ourselves into thinking we can love God while we hate other people (SEE 1 JOHN 4:20). It took me about forty-five years to realize that my priorities were mixed up and that I was not making love the main thing in my life. The commitment to learn how to walk in love has been the single best decision I have ever made as a Christian.
Visit www.the1stministryinitiative.com
Tyrice Gary - Men's Ministry Coordinator
1st Ministry Initiative
Love should be number one on our spiritual priority list. We should study love, pray about love, and develop the fruit of love by practicing loving others. God is love, so when we walk in His love we abide in Him.
Because we walk in God's love by receiving and expressing it, we should not deceive ourselves into thinking we can love God while we hate other people (SEE 1 JOHN 4:20). It took me about forty-five years to realize that my priorities were mixed up and that I was not making love the main thing in my life. The commitment to learn how to walk in love has been the single best decision I have ever made as a Christian.
Visit www.the1stministryinitiative.com
Tyrice Gary - Men's Ministry Coordinator
1st Ministry Initiative
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
It's okay to laugh.
Many serious things are going on in this
world, and we need to be aware of them and prepared for them. But at the
same time we need to learn to relax and take things as they come
without getting all nervous and upset about them. We need to learn how
to enjoy the good life God has provided for us through the death and
resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ (SEE JOHN 10:10). In spite of all
the troubling things going on around us in the world, our daily
confession should be, "This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice
and be glad in it."Something we Christians need to do more of is
laugh. We tend to be so heavy about everything - our sin, expecting
perfection from ourselves, our growth in God, our prayer life, the gifts
of the Spirit, and memorizing Bible verses. We carry around such heavy
burdens. If we would just laugh a little more - be of good cheer, "cheer
up" - we would find that a little bit of laughter makes that load much
lighter.
In the world we live in, there isn't a great deal to laugh about so we will need to do it on purpose. It is easy to find plenty to worry about. To be happy, we need to work on it a little. We need to laugh and have a good time.
Visit www.the1stministryinitiative.com
Tyrice Gary - Men's Ministry Coordinator
1st Ministry Initiative
In the world we live in, there isn't a great deal to laugh about so we will need to do it on purpose. It is easy to find plenty to worry about. To be happy, we need to work on it a little. We need to laugh and have a good time.
Visit www.the1stministryinitiative.com
Tyrice Gary - Men's Ministry Coordinator
1st Ministry Initiative
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Let Your Mess Become Your Message!
I encourage people to let go of their past, but never to run from it. The only way to gain victory over the pain of our past is to let God walk us back through that doorway of pain and into victory. No one can achieve victory for us; we have to work out our own salvation. Paul explained this truth in his letter to the Philippian church, saying:
"Therefore, my dear ones . . . work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). [Not inyour own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight" (PHILIPPIANS 2:12,13 AMP).
We have to let God take us through things and let Him work in us so our mess becomes our message. Difficult things that we have endured in our past prepare us for God's blessings in our future.
Visit www.the1stministryinitiative.com
- Tyrice Gary
1st Ministry Initiative
Men's Ministry Coordinator
http://www.the1stministryinitiative.com/mens-ministry.html#/20120625/giving-up-is-not-an-option-1718465/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)