– Scripture:

So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

                           1 Peter 5:6–7 MSG

– Reflection:

              Be That Guy

Building community in the social context, especially in friendships, involves transforming existing friendships into real ones. This means breaking down the false images that we’ve worked hard to maintain. It requires us to display our genuine, unguarded vulnerabilities, including our flaws, failures, mistakes, and fears to our friends. This is not an easy task. What’s even more challenging is that it often requires us to take the first step. Authenticity goes against the prevailing culture. Look around, and you’ll find that few people truly experience authentic friendship. Therefore, if we choose to pursue it, we may find ourselves leading the way and feeling alone for a while.

Where do we go from here?

Someone must go first. Somebody always does. Be courageous. Pray boldly, brother: “If someone must, let it be me.” Among your group of friends, be that guy. It’ll be scary, sure. It might not go really well. But, that’s okay. We men are built for this kind of stuff. We’d wither without opposition. And it’s all worth it. This can be some of the most important work we’ll ever do. “Why would we do it then? Why would we choose authenticity? It’s because only through being true to ourselves can we truly transform and become more like Christ. We can’t become more like him if we’re hiding or pretending to be someone we’re not. Embracing authenticity allows us to embody the character of Jesus Christ and also helps our friends do the same. Although as men, few of us are willing to take the first step, most of us will follow those who do. When one of us shows courage and humility, it inspires others to do the same. Taking the first step is both holy and heroic. It places us at the forefront of God’s mission, which is to heal the brokenhearted and free the captives.”

Our Pray for Today

Father, thank you for allowing us to be ourselves and giving us the strength to support others to do the same. It’s a true blessing to start each day knowing that we are surrounded by people who genuinely want to be there with us. Thank you for the grace and mercy of this day, Jesus. Amen.

– Scripture:

Moses objected, “They won’t trust me. They won’t listen to a word I say. They’re going to say, ‘God? Appear to him? Hardly!’ ” So God said, “What’s that in your hand?” “A staff.” “Throw it on the ground.” He threw it. It became a snake; Moses jumped back—fast! God said to Moses, “Reach out and grab it by the tail.” He reached out and grabbed it—and he was holding his staff again. “That’s so they will trust that God appeared to you, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” God then said, “Put your hand inside your shirt.” He slipped his hand under his shirt, then took it out. His hand had turned leprous, like snow. He said, “Put your hand back under your shirt.” He did it, then took it back out—as healthy as before. “So if they don’t trust you and aren’t convinced by the first sign, the second sign should do it. But if it doesn’t, if even after these two signs they don’t trust you and listen to your message, take some water out of the Nile and pour it out on the dry land; the Nile water that you pour out will turn to blood when it hits the ground.”

Moses raised another objection to God: “Master, please, I don’t talk well. I’ve never been good with words, neither before nor after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer.” God said, “And who do you think made the human mouth? And who makes some mute, some deaf, some sighted, some blind? Isn’t it I, God? So, get going. I’ll be right there with you—with your mouth! I’ll be right there to teach you what to say.” He said, “Oh, Master, please! Send somebody else!”

                                 Exodus 4:1–13 MSG

– Reflection:

                 You Have Everything You Need

When God called Moses to lead two million Israelites out of Egypt, Moses asked Him how he could prove to the people that God had spoken to him. God said, “Moses, what’s in your hand?” Moses looked down at his staff and must have thought, “It’s just a stick.” God said, “Throw it down.” He threw it down, and it turned into a snake. God said, “Pick it up.” He picked it up, and it turned back into a rod. God was showing Moses he had what he needed, even if it looked ordinary and insignificant. The passage above is the conversation from the Bible, all the way down to verse 13, where God is convincing Moses that he has everything he needs to complete the tasks ahead.

Where do we go from here?

It’s okay if you have little faith today. Use it, and God can move mountains. You may possess average talent, but that’s alright. Utilize it, and God can accomplish something exceptional. He will multiply your talent, your resources, and your creativity. You may feel weak, but God is breathing life into your dreams, finances, health, and children. Now is not the time to shrink back in fear. It’s the time to move forward in faith. You are equipped with everything you need to fulfill your destiny. Knowing this, committing it to our hearts, and moving through our lives, we know that He is with us, guiding us to where we need to be.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for providing us with everything we need for this season of our lives. Thank you for equipping and empowering us with every good thing we need right now, and for continuing to provide for us as we need it. We declare that we are moving forward in faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

– Scripture:

You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
I trust in you and I’m safe!” That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you under them you’re perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses. Yes, because God’s your refuge,
the High God your very own home, Evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door. He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they’ll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

                            Psalm 91:1–13 MSG

– Reflection:

              The Secret Place

Yesterday, my son and I went to church. I volunteer as a camera operator from time to time, and this time one of my good friends was preaching – Olan Carder. He was talking about having a secret place in which to dwell all the time and walk with GOD. I remember when I had something tough ahead of me, like a workout that would last a few hours or more. I would go to my “happy place.” This seemed very similar to the secret place Olan was speaking about. I have used this analogy with kids I have coached over the years and even with my sons. Some of them understand and are able to move through the workout with ease, while others struggle to shift their mindsets away from the current struggle. I linked Olan’s message about dwelling in the secret place to something similar to that “happy place.” When I go there – because I still use it – I feel just like Psalm 91 says: while dwelling there and walking my path with GOD, nothing can touch or harm me.

Where do we go from here?

Having a mindset that allows you to connect with God and spend time with Him may seem easy, but it’s not. You have to want to do this, and nothing about Christianity comes easy. Dwelling in God’s presence, even for a moment, is tough, but with practice, I believe we can all achieve that goal. Even when your day is going well, you should take time to be alone with God, minister to yourself, and allow the Spirit to renew you. I’ve experienced feeling a lot better after doing this, and I believe you will too. For those of you who were present yesterday, please listen to Pastor Olan’s message. I hope I didn’t misinterpret it too much. Have a great start to your week.

Our Prayer for Today

“Father, thank you for meeting us right where we are, even in our secret place. It is a blessing to know that walking with you gives us clarity to use all day long. We know nothing in life is ever easy and that everything requires work, especially leading others. That’s why it’s great to be able to spend a few minutes with you each day. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.”