Day 2 of Courage When - When Your Unexpected Role Requires Unexpected Risk: Esther Esther 4:1-17; 5:1-3; 7:1-6 In many ways, Esther’s life runs parallel to Daniel’s life, which we looked at yesterday. As a young adult, Esther is removed from the home of her Jewish family and sent into the palace of the ruling heathen king. While in the palace, she is honored for her virtue, her beauty, and her honor.…
(Day 1 of Courage When…)When Faithfulness Makes You Fair Game: Daniel Daniel 6:1-28 While praying in his upper room that day, I wonder if Daniel knew his enemies in the Persian administration were lying in wait nearby. I wonder, too, if that would have made any difference to him. When it was announced that King Darius now forbade the worship of any god other than himself, even when the people around Daniel…
Sunday Selah And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10, ESV) How many times have you felt unnoticed? It might happen pretty often. When I feel that way, sometimes my mind goes back to the birth of Jesus. The greatest event the world had ever seen—God with us, God manifest in the flesh…
Male Insecurities Day 6: Security in Christ When we stop and consider our insecurities, it’s very comforting to focus on the security we have in Christ. First, our rescue is secure; second, our salvation is secure: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28, ESV). Jesus says we will never perish. We will never be judged for sin…
Male Insecurities Day 5: Spiritual Insecurity For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10, ESV) At the top of the page here, let me say that this isn’t going to be about eternal security. In my mind, that’s a topic that’s settled in…
Male Insecurities Day 4: Relational Insecurity Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:10, ESV) Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3, ESV) Dear sir, We sincerely doubt that you stand in front of the mirror and have this one-sided conversation (but we are really starting to wonder): “If I act like a complete idiot,…
Male Insecurities Day 3: Career Insecurity But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things well be added to you. (Matthew 6:33, ESV) The business world has its fair share of lists. There is the Fortune 500, featuring the 500 largest companies in the USA. There is the S&P 500. There is the Forbes Billionaire List. You know what doesn’t exist? The Average Male Employee List. Our…
Male Insecurities Day 2: Financial Insecurity Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV) It’s so sad it’s almost funny, in a…
Male Insecurities Day 1: Physical Insecurity For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8, ESV) “I have a great idea! Let’s go to the gym!” “Take your shirt off! You’ll get a nice tan!” “Check out these new shirts! They’re slim fit!” For many men, those three…
Sunday Selah, By: Ruth P. McDonald We’ve thought this week about relationships, and how weeds damage and hurt us. These weeds are prevalent because of sin. How often these same weeds creep up in our relationship with Jesus. We sometimes don’t care for the relationship like we should. We compare Him to the world, and often long for foolish, temporary things. We hold Him responsible for life’s struggles, finding it hard to…