Welcome to week three of "Real Man Monday." Last week, we discussed understanding what God requires of us to become a man of God.
Caution
Weeds grow quickly, but oak trees take years. If you want a quick fix to becoming a man of God, these videos are not for you. However, if you realize that becoming a man of God takes a lifetime, let's get started together.
Goal
To slowly grow into a man of God, one week at a time. Each week, we will look at a different aspect of being a man of God.
Let's Review
What is a man? Chuck Norris. What is a man of God? God's Word says in Micah 6:8,
"Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God."
According to God, a man of God acts justly, loves faithfulness, and walks humbly with God.
- Acts Justly- A protector of what is right and good. A defender.
- Loves Faithfulness- Someone who is consistent. Dependable. Someone you can count on.
- Walk Humbly Before the Lord- Someone who follows the Lord in submits to His leadership.
Today's topic: Talking With Our General Every Day.
This week is the make-or-break week for many of us. The "new car smell" is wearing off, and we will either move forward to become a man of God as a discipline or not. I encourage you to move forward and don't let anything stop you from becoming all God has created you to become.
In the video, we discuss a soldier's lifeline on the battlefield: the ability to stay in touch with the general. He gets his orders and knows when to advance, when to retreat, and when to hold the line.
The Bible says this happened to David when he faced one of the most significant setbacks of his personal and military career. He was in charge, so who did he go to when things were at their worst? The Bible says
"David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God." 1 Samuel 30:6 NLT
Prayer is spiritual warfare. Prayer is talking to your general and getting the orders so you can win every battle. Do you want to win? Stay in touch with the general.
The general told us the best way to stay in touch. In Matthew 6, Jesus outlines the best way to stay focused and get the most out of our daily conversation with Him. Instead of seeing this as one prayer to pray, look at it as topics of prayer.
"Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one." Matthew 6:9-13 NLT
This week's challenge: Talk (Pray) to your General Every Day!
Time flies when you talk to someone who can do something about your problem. What would it look like for you to spend one minute on each topic of the Lord's Prayer? Give it a try for seven days, and watch God move.
Our Father in Heaven. (60 seconds)
How you view God makes a massive difference in how you relate to Him in prayer. For some, the idea of God as a father may be complex. You may have had some horrible experiences with your earthly father, which forever tainted your concept of a father. God is a perfect Father and is everything your dad wasn't able to be. Imagine your idea of a perfectly kind, generous, and proud dad. That is the beginning of all God toward you. Spend the first 60 seconds reminding yourself that God loves you and sees you as His precious child.
May your name be kept holy. (60 seconds)
Names used to relay value. In the Old Testament, every time God would demonstrate His greatness, they would ascribe an attribute to His Name and say things like God-My-Provider or God-My-Redeemer. Take 60 seconds and thank God for something He has done in your life.
Your Kingdom come your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. (60 seconds)
Before getting into your needs, remember that all your problems are His. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Therefore, you begin by recognizing that all you have belongs to Him. He has gifted you with the privilege of stewarding His wonderful creation. Remembering this helps us see life for its opportunities, not just its obstacles.
Give us this day our daily bread. (60 seconds)
This is the moment you have likely been waiting for. If it matters to you, it matters to Him. Tell Him about everything and everyone in your life.
Forgive us our debts as we forgive those indebted to us. (60 seconds)
Don't overlook this one. Someone once said, "Every day, I forgive so many people... because I hate so many people." Me too, bro. Ask for God's forgiveness for anything that might separate you from His goodness. Then take a moment to offer that same forgiveness to others. I find it helpful to forgive people in advance... cause I know it's only a matter of time. Ha.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. (60 seconds)
Finish up with standing in the spiritual authority the Lord has given you. He won the war when He rose again. Now we stand in His authority. To the Christian, the devil has power but no authority in our lives. So, take 60 seconds to declare victory over your life, family, future, and anything else that comes to mind.
