GOD'S ROLE FOR MEN AND THE TWO DITCHES THEY FACE

We live in a world today that wants Culture to define who men and women are, and yet often they can’t even define what the words “Woman” and “Men” mean. Culture constantly Changes, and has a Foundation Of Sand. WHY ? I believe it is because it has No Solid Foundation Of TRUTH to stand upon. Mankind would rather rely on “It’s Wisdom” than seek The Real Truth that is Found And Amplified by GOD’S HOLY WORD. Cultural truth moves to the whim of the season and the mob’s viewpoint. God’s TRUTH is grounded in Him, and is tested and Solidified by TIME AND REALITY. My writing today comes from the inspiration of my pastor, Jason Fritz, at Illuminate Community Church in Scottsdale Arizona. It is from a teaching from 1 Kings. I have always read Kings as a Generational Template of Rulership over time…some good, and some bad, but Jason’s teaching Opened My Eyes And Heart to a New Understanding ! It solidifies how important Solid Biblical Teaching is for the Body Of Christ ! In Kings ! we find King David in the process of dying, and moving to name his successor to the throne. It is a process that involves listening to God, and trusting HIS WILL AND CHOICE for the Leader of the people….and as in everything, there is the struggle for Power and Clarity. Fortunately, David has heard from God that his son, Solomon, is to become the New King. It is an interesting story indeed, but the Real Meaning lies in the PICTURE OF LEADERSHIP AND MANHOOD that David is instructing and proclaiming to Solomon. IT IS THE KEY TO WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MAN ! IT IS THE KEY TO BEING A TRUE LEADER 1 While not many of us will become Kings, or even Leaders of a country, WE ARE ALL LEADERS IN OUR SPHERE OF EXISTENCE AND INFLUENCE. How we embrace that is of Utmost Importance for both Men and Women ! While I am going to focus on MEN in this writing, Women also have extremely important components of Identity, Leadership Roles, and Attributes. Look around today, and it is easy to see that the LEADERSHIP ROLE OF MEN is being attacked, belittled, and REDEFINED BY CULTURE. This cultural attack is A LIE, and it must be Challenged and Corrected. It’s time to take a good hard look at what GOD SAYS ABOUT MEN and hopefully gain Insight and Truth that will allow Men to Mature and Lead !

Before his death, King David called his son Solomon before him and made it clear to him what a MAN must do to be a Leader and King:

“BE STRONG AND BE A MAN, AND KEEP YOUR OBLIGATIONS TO THE LORD YOUR GOD TO WALK IN HIS WAYS AND TO KEEP HIS STATUTES, COMMANDS, ORDINANCE AND DECREES. THIS IS WRITTEN IN THE LAW OF MOSES, SO THAT YOU WILL HAVE SUCCESS IN EVERYTHING YOU DO, AND WHEREVER YOU TURN. 1 Kings 2:2-4

So, how do we live as MEN ? It is about HONORING GOD AND WALKING IN HIS WAYS; AND SERVING OTHERS ! It is The Definition from God’s Word….not culture, and not from the false wisdom of mankind without God. It is a challenge to be ROOTED IN GOD AND HIS WORD, not tossed about by the lies of culture and the Confusing Path they worship. Let’s take a good, solid look at what GOD SAYS ABOUT MEN :)

OLDER MEN ARE TO BE TEMPERATE, DIGNIFIED, SELF CONTROLLED, AND SOUND IN FAITH, LOVE, AND PERSERVERANCE. Titus 2:2

HALLELUJAH ! BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO FEARS THE LORD, WHO GREATLY DELIGHTS IN HIS COMMANDMENTS. Psalm 112:1

SO GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE; IN THE IMAGE OF GOD HE CREATED HIM; MALE AND FEMALE HE CREATED THEM. Genesis 1:27

HAVE I NOT COMMANDED YOU TO BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS ? DO NOT BE AFRAID; DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO. Joshua 1:9

BUT YOU, O MAN OF GOD, FLEE FROM THESE THINGS AND PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS, GODLINESS, FAITH, LOVE, PERSERVERANCE, AND GENTLENESS. 1 Timothy 6:11

All of these scriptures are a Call to Men to EMBRACE GOD AND HIS WAYS ! Every single man will stumble, but it is the pursuitt of God and His Truth that must DEFINE US : ) This truth is exactly the same for each and every Woman out there. Culture is scared to define you. Even our Governmental “kings” tremble to upset the masses by voicing what GOD’S TRUTH STATES CLEARLY ! I want to shout out to all Men and Women who know Who They ARE; Your ability to speak and embrace Truth is critical for the Sons and Daughters you raise !

MEN: It’s time to take a look at the Two Ditches that you will Confront in your journey of life !

Ditch Number One is an easy one for a lot of men to fall into, because on the surface, it seems to make a lot of sense. It is a place where men seek Power, Authority and Control. The problem is that when these become one’s Main Focus it centers us on SELF. It can lead to a lot of things…some good and some bad. It can create a sphere of life focused on Power, where No One Can Control You. Instead, YOU DOMINATE ! It projects the need to continually amass power, and the more you gain, the more of a “Man’ you are. The problem here is that the Goal of Power in God’s Eyes is focused on SERVING HIM and SERVING OTHERS. A SELF focus unfortunately will become all important, and it can easily become a measuring stick that invites comparison and false idols, along with a heart and emotional life that are very far from God’s Path and Purpose. Not surprisingly, Culture can push this for both men and women at some level…but also ravinously attack Manliness and Power when it is used in the proper way, GOD’S WAY !

Ditch Number Two is also an easy one for men to fall into…the ditch of PASSIVITY. It drives men to REJECT RESPONSIBILITY, because who would want to make Hard Decisions ? It makes Life simply TOO HARD. It promotes having others think “For Me”, I abdicate My Responsibility. I “run” from decisions. I make No Commitments. I “float along” with No Path and No Purpose. It also concentrates our efforts on SELF. Is it any wonder that many young men today run away from meaningful relationships with women ? I am safer by myself than opening myself up to communication, compromise, and especially COMMITMENT ! Perhaps the worst part of this is that it makes it easy to avoid not only facing things, but also sharing things. Things like LOVE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS…all the things that Jesus has decribed as “The Fruit Of The Spirit” that we must pursue !

King David got to experience both of these “ditches” as he lived his life. Running from the Power and Control of King Saul, and then Yielding his own Power to dominate and control…not always leaving him in a good place. He also watched as the men of Saul’s Army were Too Passive to deal with Goliath the Philistine. THAT would have been Way Too Hard, so why not just AVOID RESPONSIBILITY ! We are also able to “see” Passivity right from the very beginning of Genesis with Adam and Eve. Adam knew very well what God had said regarding the Tree Of The Knowledge Of Good And Evil. Instead of standing up to the Serpent and Protecting Eve, He stood there Passively and let Eve EAT ! Then…HE ATE WITH HER. Totally disobeying God, and then blaming Eve for his lack of RESPONSIBILITY ! Seeing the evolution of Manhood through the eyes of history does indeed give us a unique perspective. Perhaps the most important message for all of us is to see the importance for every single person, regardless of circumstance or gender to realize that A RELATIONSHIP WITH, OR WITHOUT GOD WILL DEFINE YOU, AND SET THE PARAMETERS FOR YOUR LIFE’S PATH. TRUST GOD, AND FOLLOW HIS WAYS…OR TRUST YOURSELF AND END UP OFF HIS PERFECT PATH INTO A DITCH OF YOUR OWN MAKING.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND DO NOT RELY ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; IN ALL YOUR WAYS KNOW HIM , AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT. Proverbs 3:5-6

I AM AT REST IN GOD ALONE; MY SALVATION COMES FROM HIM. HE ALONE IS MY ROCK AND MY SALVATION, MY STRONGHOLD; I WILL NEVER BE SHAKEN, Psalm 62: 1-2

YOU WILL KEEP THE MIND THAT IS DEPENDENT ON YOU IN PERFECT PEACE, FOR IT IS TRUSTING IN YOU, Isaiah 26:3

In our world today, society and culture will compel you to fall into a ditch that will move you away from your True Identity and do it’s best to convince you that Trust In God is overrated. We are all LEADERS in some aspect of our lives, and we must know that Our Actions and Choices HAVE CONSEQUENCES ! Will you Embrace GOD and His Truth, Word, and Ways…or will you VEER OF COURSE ? The lesson from a King who lived so long ago should make one thing very clear. A TRUE KING IS COMING, AND HE WILL REIGN FOREVER ! HIS NAME IS JESUS CHRIST :) STAY ON GOD’S PATH/JAA

COMMIT YOUR ACTIVITIES TO THE LORD, AND YOUR PLANS WILL BE ESTABLISHED. Proverbs 16:3

Special THANKS to my Pastor Jason for a message that has Truly Helped Me Grow Closer to God, and Trust Him Completely !