GUYS, IT'S TIME TO ACT LIKE MEN

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love."   1 Corinthians 16:13-14

From 1954 to 1963, a particular family sitcom ruled the television world.  The show was titled, Father Knows Best, a show about a middle-class family in the Midwest.  It starred veteran actor Robert Young, playing the wonderful husband and father, Jim Anderson.  Not only was each episode humorous, each episode was also a lesson in morality, responsibility, and right priorities. 

Jim Anderson was the epitome of an honorable man.  He was a model husband and dad who loved and led his wife and three kids. He was a man who would do a paper route in the rain for his sick son, Bud. He was a man who'd always choose to see daughter Kathy in a school program rather than attend an important business dinner. He was a man who always gave sound advice, helping his kids do what was right, even when it was hard and went against the grain of compromise.

Needless to say, things have changed in America since Father Knows Best.  Most movies and television shows today picture dads in a much different light.  The title for today would read something like this: Father Knows Next to Nothing; He is a Selfish, Self-centered, Pleasure-seeking Dufus who Often Does More to Harm his Family than Help Them.  Admittedly, that is a long title and not very catchy, but it accurately sums up where we are as a nation in our view of husbands, dads, and manhood.

GOD IS CALLING MEN

Guys, God is calling us to step up to the plate and be the responsible, honorable, trustworthy men that our wives and children need.  God is looking for some Jim Andersons, men who will love and lead.  God wants us to be the spiritual leaders in our homes, involved in the trials and struggles of our children and offering them compassion, wise counsel, example, and prayer.

In our culture today, it is easy for us as men to shirk our commitments and stay stuck in boyhood, failing to launch.  Many guys are content to live with their parents well into their 30s, playing video games far into the night and living as if they are still in high school.  Needless to say, that is not good, and that is not biblical manhood.

Dr. Robert Lewis, the author of Men’s Fraternity, offers a great definition of manhood that every guy needs to hear and heed.  He says, “A real man rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously, and expects a greater reward.”  I say, “Amen to that!”  Those four pillars of manhood are necessary in order for a man to fulfill his God-given assignment.

HONEST EVALUATION

So guys, when you look in the mirror, what do you see?  Are you acting like a man or a boy?  Are you assuming the responsibility God has clearly given to you?  Have you left your dependence on your father and mother so you can stand on your own two feet?  Are you loving and leading and providing for your family?  If not, let this serve as a wakeup call.  Don’t go another day stuck in boyhood.  It’s time to step up to the plate and act like a man!  And remember, God will help you as you look to Him.  He is for you, not against you.  He who calls you to manhood will also empower you to be the man He created you to be.  How cool is that!?     

Love,

Pastor Jeff Schreve,

From His Heart Ministries                             

P.S.  Click here to leave your prayer request on the From His Heart PrayerWorks page and allow people around the world to lift your request up to God.

Jeff Schreve founded From His Heart Ministries, www.fromhisheart.org, in 2005 with the vision to reach as many people as possible with the good news of God's love. Jeff believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a great plan just for you. He broadcast on radio, TV and in the internet around the world from his pulpit ministry as Pastor of First Baptist in Texarkana, Texas. This ministry is completely listener/viewer supported. It continues only through the faithful and generous gifts of people like you. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All gifts go to further the broadcast.

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