Happy Father's Day

What Is A Man?

In a society that tells us there are no differences between men and women and in fact there are possibly hundreds of different genders - let's ground ourselves in reality - God created men and women and gave each gender special and unique characteristics.
​Now that's something worthy of celebration this month!
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Men are under attack more than ever. They are demonized for demonstrating masculine qualities and receive mixed messaging regarding how to treat women. 
We don't have a lot of men in our audience, so today's message is for you ladies to share with the men in your lives, encourage them to follow the Bible's instruction for manhood, and uplift them in your supporting role. 
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characteristics of Godly Men

1. Love God First
Make God your top priority.
Before you are able to love anyone else you must love God. It makes sense that since God created love he would equip you with everything you need to give and receive love. 
Not the cheap love that the world offers, but the fulfilling and unconditional love that God blesses us with. 
But if you aren't reading His Word and praying that he transforms your heart - how are you going to learn to love like he does?
Grow your relationship with God and all other aspects of your life flourish. 
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"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you." Romans 12:2-3
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2. Sacrifice 
​God calls men to love their wives as Christ loves the church.
This is a sacrificial love. One that would give his own life to save the lives of others. 
One that would deny his own wants and desires to seek what God's will is for his life. 
​One that would think of others as greater than himself and live a servant's life. 
This world tells men to be arrogant, prideful, achieve success and possessions at all cost.
God tells men to be humble, kind, considerate and to desire what God desires for them.
When men align their will with the will of God they are unstoppable! 

I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.…
1 John 2:14-16​

3. Be a Leader
Lead by example. Set the standard. Go the extra mile. 
Be the one that says it's time to read our Bible together. Be the husband that shows that going to church on Sunday is without question. Be the father that prays with and for his children. 
Be the neighbor that lends a helping hand. 
Be the volunteer that asks what he can offer the church
instead of what the church can offer him. 
Be the friend that listens and cares.
Be the patriot that stands up for his country and the constitution. 
Men, it is time to lead!
Again, you cannot lead without knowing God's word. 
Wives are instructed to obey their husbands, but not for the sake of being obedient. 
Men must know God's word in order to lead their families. 
You cannot teach someone if you don't first understand it yourself. 
You cannot make wise decisions without God's help. 
A wife would be foolish to follow a husband that does not get his instructions from the Lord. 
Leadership is a huge responsibility. 
Don't attempt it without God. 

"Let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel
by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, 
but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1: 5-7

We hope you enjoyed today's message please tell someone about Your Praying Friend, but more importantly tell everyone about JESUS!