Leading in God’s Will

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Men are called to be leaders in their homes, churches, and communities, modeling a life of rejoicing, prayer, and gratitude. These three commands in 1 Thessalonians 5 are not optional—they are God’s will for every believer. For men, this means setting the spiritual tone by embodying these principles daily.

Rejoicing evermore means finding joy in Christ regardless of circumstances. Life brings challenges, but when men anchor their joy in the Lord, they demonstrate steadfast faith to their families and those around them. Like the Pilgrims, who endured harsh winters, loss, and hardship, yet rejoiced in God’s provision, we too must cultivate a spirit of joy that leads others to praise God even in trials.

Praying without ceasing calls men to live as examples as we pray through the trials that come our way daily. A man’s prayer life is a testament to his dependence on God. The Pilgrim leaders, such as William Bradford and others, prioritized prayer, seeking God’s guidance in uncharted territory. When men today consistently bring their families and challenges before the Lord, they model trust in God and inspire others to do the same.

In everything, giving thanks demonstrates humility and recognition of God’s sovereignty. The Pilgrims famously gave thanks during their first Thanksgiving, despite their losses, because they saw God’s hand at work. Men are called to lead by example, teaching their families to count blessings and give thanks in all circumstances.

As leaders, men have the privilege of reflecting Christ through joy, prayer, and gratitude. Let us follow the example of those who came before us, anchoring our lives in the Word and setting a godly example for future generations. By doing so, we fulfill God’s will for our lives and lead others into His will for their life.

 

The Danger of Being Wise in Your Own Eyes

 

Daily Reading:  Proverbs 26:1 –12

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

Proverbs 26:12

As men, we are often taught to value confidence, decisiveness, and leadership. These qualities can be good, but Proverbs 26:12 warns us against a dangerous trap: self-conceit. A man who is "wise in his own eyes" believes he has all the answers. He stops listening, learning, and depending on God because he trusts too much in his own abilities and understanding. The Word of God says there is more hope for a fool than for such a man. Why? Because a fool may eventually recognize his need for correction, but the proud man sees no reason to change.

This verse challenges us to reflect: where in our lives might we be blind to our need for God’s wisdom? Do we rely on our own strength to solve problems, lead our families, or make decisions? Do we dismiss godly counsel from others, thinking we already know best?

True wisdom begins with humility. Proverbs 9:10 reminds us that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." When we approach life with reverence for God, we acknowledge that His ways are higher than ours. Humility opens the door for God to guide us, refine us, and bless the work of our hands.

Take time today to pray for and seek God’s wisdom above your own. Surround yourself with men who will speak truth into your life, even when and especially when it is uncomfortable. Lead your family not with arrogance but with a reliance on God’s Word and His Spirit. Remember, greatness in God’s eyes comes not from self-reliance but from submission to Him.

Challenge yourself: In what areas of your life can you surrender pride and seek God's wisdom today?

 

Do you Have an Inferiority Complex?

Daily Reading:  Philippians 1:1 – 11

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.”

                                                                            Philippians 1:9

Truth transforms.  Jesus said in His earthly ministry, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  Truth ignored will not liberate you, but known truth will affect your life.  What we read, study, and know has the ability to change us.  Especially when it is the Word of God that we are reading, studying, and knowing.  It alone is living, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.  If you desire manhood as God intended for your life, there is no shortcut.  You must spend time in God’s Word, allowing His Holy Spirit to pour into you His knowledge and judgment through His written Word.

A word of caution is also needed at this point.  As you read, study, and know, DO NOT get caught in the trap of becoming and information gatherer.  That was the failure of the gnostics during New Testament times.  To them, it became information to be argued.  Gnosticism is alive and well today among saved men.  We must allow the Word of God to change us…to transform us.  

As we grow in knowledge and discernment, the Holy Spirit will equip us to recognize, “things that are excellent”.  When we recognize excellence, it is because we also recognize things that are inferior.  No man desires to live in inferiority!  Through God’s Word we can learn to discern, so life is lived genuinely for His honor and glory as we are filled with the fruits of righteousness.     

Humble Service in Love

 

Daily Reading: Galatians 5:1 – 13

"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."

Galatians 5:13

Liberty in Christ is a beautiful gift we have all because of God’s amazing grace. However, be warned! Liberty is not, nor ever should be a license to serve ourselves. Instead, as believers, we must use our freedom to serve others in Christ’s love. The Greek work translated occasion really helps to drive home this point. It is a military term to describe a base of operations from which military strikes and maneuvers are launched.  We must never allow our liberty in Christ to be the launching point for serving our flesh! Pride will launch us into serving our flesh.  However, true humility leads to loving service. It’s about recognizing that we are free from the chains of sin and empowered to serve rather than seeking personal gain.

Serving others in love requires us to lay aside our own desires and prioritize the will of God in serving the needs of those around us. It’s a way of living that reflects the love of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve. Humility in service means we are willing to give of ourselves without expecting anything in return, trusting that God will provide all we need.

This is a challenging call in a world that often values self-promotion, but it is the path to true realization of the will of God in our day-to-day life.  That realization in turn will lead to joy in serving Him. As we serve others, we reflect the heart of Christ and bring glory to God. Are there opportunities in your life where you can serve others more selflessly? How can you use the freedom you have in Christ to serve others in love?

The Thorn of Humility?

 

Daily Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:1 – 10

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

                                                                                         II Corinthians 12:9

Paul speaks of his thorn in his flesh, “the messenger (gr. angelos) of Satan to buffet me”.  This spiritual assault made clear to Paul his weakness.  Due to the suffering and difficulty this caused Paul in his life, he repeatedly asked God to remove it. Most of us would do the exact same thing if we found ourselves in a similar situation.  Instead of granting Paul’s request, God revealed to him that He had given Paul something greater: His sustaining grace. Through His grace, Paul learned that God’s power is perfected in weakness. This is the paradox of humility.

In our moments of weakness, when we are keenly aware of our limitations, we are invited to lean fully on God’s strength. Humility is not about hiding our weaknesses but about surrendering them to God, knowing that He can use them for His glory. When we stop trying to rely on our own strength and allow Christ to work through our brokenness, His power is most evident.

We often resist humility because we fear being seen as weak, but Paul’s experience shows that embracing humility allows God’s grace to flow through us more freely. It’s in surrender that we find true strength.  What "thorns" in your life could be opportunities for God’s strength to be displayed?  How can you trust God’s grace more in your areas of weakness?

Loyalty has its Limits

Daily Reading:  Proverbs 9:1 – 12

“Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:  rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.”

                                                Proverbs 9:8

Leaders need to demonstrate loyalty, but to whom?  to what?  Should you be loyal to those whom God has entrusted you to lead?  Yes.  We should certainly exercise loyalty in our relationships.  Loyalty promotes unity and trust.  Relationships are built on trust.  Proverbs 18:24 exemplifies loyalty when it says, “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”  

However, loyalty to others must have limits in the life of a believer.  In life, in earthly relationships, confrontation is sometimes required.  We must gird our loins and speak the truth in love.  It is in these moments that our true loyalty is on display.  We must be loyal to the truth.  We must be loyal to God and His Word.  Either Scripture is the guiding rule in our relationships, or we do not have much of a relationship at all.  

Confronting people with whom we have a relationship, and a problem is never easy or comfortable.  You never know how someone is going to respond.  Sometimes we do not respond as we should.  Our pride clouds our judgment.  Rather than responding to confrontation thankful that someone loved us enough to try to help us to see our own faults, our pride causes us to become defensive.  Our reaction to reproof determines whether we are wise or unwise.  

One thing is certain.  If we remain loyal in our relationship with God and His Word, it will absolutely have an impact on ALL other relationships.

Men Behaving Badly

 Daily Reading:  Judges 12:1 – 7

“And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 12:2

         As a man, and as a leader, there are times when you must simply do what needs to be done.  You do it because you are the man in the place to say or do what needs to be said or done.  Far too often, men who should be leading choose passivity.  They choose to say nothing or do nothing.  Jephthah was not that man.  When called to lead, he did the work no one wanted to do.  When the dust finally settled, the other men who should have been following his lead questioned his decisions and undermined his leadership. They were so angry with him that they threatened to burn his house down with him in it.  How is that for gratitude? 

This scenario illustrates a common challenge for those who endeavor to follow God’s will: backlash from brothers in Christ who feel convicted by your actions or words. Jephthah's response is a model of humility and conviction. Instead of retaliating or defending himself with harsh words, he recounts the circumstances that led him to lead the fight against the Ammonites. He reminds them of their previous inaction and highlights that he acted out of necessity, not arrogance. Jephthah’s retelling serves as a reminder that true leaders are often misunderstood, and it is through clarity and humility that they can address grievances.  Even when clarity is given in humility, the facts are not always received with humility.

As men and leaders today, we can glean vital lessons from Jephthah's experience. When we feel called to lead, we may encounter skepticism or outright opposition, sometimes from those closest to us. It’s crucial to remain steadfast and grounded in our purpose, knowing we are humble servants of God simply seeking to do His will. We can and should also communicate openly, reminding brothers and sisters in Christ that we are all an essential part of the Body of Christ. Jephthah’s calm demeanor in the face of criticism should teach us to lead with conviction, humility, and patience.

 

Questions for Reflection:

1.       1.   How can we ensure that our actions and decisions as leaders align with God’s will, even when faced with criticism from those around us?

     2.   In what ways can we better support and uplift fellow leaders, acknowledging their challenges while fostering a culture of unity and understanding?

Humility and Unity

         

Daily Reading:  Romans 12:1 - 16

"Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits."

                                                                                     Romans 12:16

            Pride is a unique sin that destroys everything in its path.  If left unchecked, it will continue to wreak havoc on all it touches.  It is one sin that is commonplace in the Body of Christ who of all people should know better. Sadly, pride goes largely unchecked because it’s very roots in a man’s life blind him to its presence.  At the same time prideful men are able to spot it easily in the lives of other men because it conflicts with our own unobserved pride. Many a marriage, family, and ministry have been razed to the ground by a root of pride.

Humility is essential for unity within the body of Christ. Humility and pride cannot coexist.  Paul encourages believers to be of one mind, not seeking to elevate themselves, no matter their position or office in life, but to seek out and associate with those of humble circumstances. Men of true humility will be willing to connect with people from all walks of life, without considering ourselves superior or thinking of ourselves at all.  Leadership is not a position or role to be lorded over others!  Do so to your own destruction.

Pride breeds division, but humility fosters unity. When we let go of our desire for recognition or status, we are able to see others through God’s eyes—as valuable, loved, and worthy of respect. This kind of humility creates an atmosphere where peace and mutual love can flourish.

In a world that often promotes individualism, self-advancement and self-promotion, we are called to a different way of living. Humility allows us to serve one another in love, building up the body of Christ and reflecting the unity that God desires.

 

 

Am I a Liar?

 

                    

Daily Reading:  Romans 13:11 – 14

“let us walk honestly”

            Romans 13:13

            For the most part, you probably do not struggle with lying…at least not outright.  You may choose to be vague or avoid addressing an issue, but those decisions are made to avoid lying openly in conversation and confrontation.  Depending on the circumstances, the avoidance and vagueness can also be a problem, but have you ever paused to consider non-verbal lying. 

            Paul says in Romans 13:13, “let us walk honestly”.  If it is possible to walk honestly, then it must also be possible to walk dishonestly.  In plain terms, it is possible to live a lie.  It is possible for our actions to deceive.  Romans 13:11 tells us our deliverance is coming.  Christ is going to return and we who believe are going to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

            If we are not living like Christ is coming back for us, then we are being dishonest with all who see us and with all who know us!  We are lying to everyone.  We are given a list of dishonest actions by Christians in verse 13.  While you may rule out some items on that list, can you rule them all out?  The list concludes with strife and envying.  We live in a broken society where the entire list is commonplace and accepted.  As Christians, we are often guilty of quarreling and many envy regularly with no thought of it being the dishonest act of a believer.  Our society thrives on envy, and believers are often no different.  It is time to throw out the works of darkness and put on the Lord Jesus Christ.