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  • The Lie of Isolation and the Power of Brotherhood

    The Lie of Isolation and the Power of Brotherhood

    A few weeks ago, I spent four days in the mountains of Colorado with one hundred Christian men from across the country. We gathered at a lodge deep in the backcountry, removed from the noise and pace of everyday life, with a shared desire to be filled up and step more fully into the men God created us to be. The guys I met all looked different on the outside, but on our first night together, we realized we had more in common than we expected.

    Wrapping up dinner, we were given a simple instruction. Write down the state of your heart as you walked into the weekend. No names, no explanations, just honesty. Then post your response on the wall and take time to read what the other men have written. This was a vulnerable, sacred experience.

    Some of the words that guys shared on those cards…

    • Tired
    • Scared
    • Angry
    • Frustrated
    • In pain
    • Anxious
    • At the edge
    • Overwhelmed
    • Not the man I want to be
    • Falling behind

    The themes were consistent across the wall, and it became immediately clear that the state of men’s hearts is not that different. Walking into that room, I saw strong men and leaders who love Jesus. These were the kind of guys who carry weight in their homes, workplaces, and communities. Some were tattooed and physically imposing, others quiet and steady, but all of them were the kind of men who step up when things get hard.

    That’s what was visible on the outside… those cards on the wall told a deeper story. Beneath the surface, these Christian men were tired. They were carrying pressure, wrestling with anxiety, and questioning themselves. These are the things we don’t say out loud in front of anyone, especially other guys, but at the core, every man in that room was asking the same question, whether he said it out loud or not:

    Am I enough?

    That question drives so much of how we live. We try to be everything for everyone, pushing harder and carrying more. Over time, striving to be “enough” becomes exhausting. The truth is, most men (Christian or not) are carrying more than they let on. Even the ones who look like they have it all together are feeling the weight.

    The shift begins when we stop pretending otherwise. When we acknowledge where we’re really at and invite other men into that space, something changes. Walls come down, and conversations get real. Do this with other Christian men, and we begin to experience the kind of brotherhood that reminds us we were never meant to carry this alone.

    Lean into that last line for a second… We weren’t meant to carry this alone. We bring our burdens to Jesus, and walk side-by-side with Christian brothers who have burdens of their own. There are not many places where men can show up like that. More often than not, we walk into rooms that add to the pressure. We’ve been conditioned to believe that strength means having it all together, staying in control, and never letting the weight show. That version of strength is incomplete, and it’s not the promise God has for you.

    Real strength is found in connection. It’s built when men choose honesty over image and stand shoulder to shoulder with others who understand the struggle. It shows up when they commit to carrying their crosses together. That kind of brotherhood brings both accountability and empathy. It sharpens us, steadies us, and reminds us where our strength and our identity come from: Jesus.

    The gift I brought back from Colorado is powerful. It’s a realization that the weight I feel is not unique. Other men feel it too. The good news? When we choose to stop carrying that weight alone, when we open up to trusted brothers and invite God into the middle of it, we find our strength and can release control. That’s the journey I find myself on now, back at home… releasing control.

    If you’re reading this and don’t have that kind of brotherhood, I want to encourage you to seek it out. Connect with a CBMC Trusted Advisor Forum or get involved in an Operation Timothy relationship. Find a men’s Bible study at your church. Reach out to an old friend and reconnect.

    Even if it feels uncomfortable at first (and it might), find spaces where you can connect with other Christian men. Lean into that discomfort. Satan will tell you that you’re the only one carrying weights like these, and he’ll try to convince you to carry them alone. He’s a liar, and isolation is his greatest weapon. Battle back and get into a circle with other Christian guys.

    By: John Gamades, Author of WAR: A Tactical Guide for Christian Men

    Matt Trayler

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  • RUN THE RACE TO FINISH WELL

    RUN THE RACE TO FINISH WELL

    The marketplace worships competition, bigger numbers, faster growth, and relentless pursuit of the next win. The pressure never lets up: grow revenue and capacity, expand, outperform. But the truth is, you can run hard and still cross the wrong finish line.

    How can we know which is the right finish line? Jesus Christ’s words cut through the noise: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). That is not a call to abandon excellence or shrug off results; it is a call to reorder them. Excellence still matters, but the aim changes. The scoreboard is no longer expansion or applause; it is obedience. The pace is no longer set by adrenaline or ambition; it’s governed by eternity.

    Hebrews 12 says, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” That phrase – “the race set before us” – matters. It means the path God has designed for you, not someone else’s. Not the path that culture celebrates or your ego prefers, but the one bound to God’s purposes through your life. Yet we drift. Comparison pulls us into someone else’s lane, chasing their influence instead of following our calling. Comfort tempts us to reshape the race for safety and ease. Distraction eats at our focus, filling our minds with noise until eternity fades from view. Still, the call remains: Keep running the race God has actually given you.

    What does that look like for leaders in the marketplace? Three things mark those who run well.

    Run the right race. Comparison is poison. Faithfulness isn’t imitation but obedience. You have been wired for a specific assignment; people, places, and purposes that God fitted for His glory through your life. Stop glancing sideways; run forward with endurance and conviction. The lane God gave you is exactly wide enough for carrying out His will.

    Seek the Kingdom first. Comfort and control will always compete for your loyalty. Kingdom-first leadership refuses to make personal ease the goal. Success must be defined by what aligns with God’s character, promises, and commands, not by what insulates you from risk. The race of faith will always stretch you beyond what feels manageable, because grace meets you where comfort will not.

    Finish well. The trumpet will sound. Christ will return. On that day, the metrics that ruled your calendar will not matter. What will matter is endurance; did you stay the course, with your eyes fixed on Jesus? Falling does not disqualify you; refusing to get up does. The Christian life is not about flawless execution but about relentless faithfulness. When you stumble, repent quickly, stand up, and keep running. Keep loving even when it costs you. Keep forgiving even when it hurts. Keep serving even when no one sees. Perseverance is the true proof of devotion.

    The marketplace will always measure your worth by pace and performance, by who is ahead and who is behind. Christ, however, measures it by endurance, by the quiet strength of a heart that refuses to quit when the crowd moves on. He isn’t impressed by speed but by surrender, not by spotlight but by steadfastness. In the end, the voice of the market will fade, and the voice of Jesus will remain:

    Run your race. Eyes up. Kingdom first. Finish well.

    © 2026. C.C. Simpson is dedicated to fostering a bold and triumphant Christian faith within the global marketplace. Before becoming President of CBMC International, Chris dedicated 28 years to a distinguished career in the public sector – as a Commanding Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, and serving in the U. S. Secret Service, responsible for protecting seven American presidents and leading elite teams in complex, high-stakes international missions. With his wife Ana, Chris resides in Boca Raton, Florida.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. Where do you feel the pressure to keep up – chasing numbers, status, or approval – and how might that be pulling you out of the race God actually set before you?
    2. How would your daily priorities shift if “seeking first the Kingdom of God” became the true filter for how you led your team, managed time, or measured success?
    3. What comforts or conveniences at work tempt you to play it safe instead of trusting God’s call to lead courageously, speak truth, or serve others sacrificially?
    4. If someone observed your leadership this past week – your decisions, your tone, your pace – would they see a person running to win applause, or a disciple running to finish well?

    NOTE: If you would like to explore more on endurance in the Christian life and workplace, consider these Bible passages: Romans 5:3-5; Galatians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 4:15-16; James 1:2-4,12; 1 Peter 1:5-8

    Challenge for This Week

    Trying to cope with the everyday pressures and demands of the marketplace can feel overwhelming – especially if you are trying to handle them on your own. Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.” Do you have someone in whom you can confide, to help in sharing burdens that seem too heavy?

    If you have someone – or a small group – that is helping you in this way, fully utilize their support, encouragement, and counsel. If not, pray that God will guide you to a friend in whom you can confide, a mentor, a trusted advisor, or a small accountability group that can help you in serving the Lord and representing Him faithfully and effectively.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Tell Them We’re Not Their Enemies

    Tell Them We’re Not Their Enemies

    By: C.C. Simpson – President & Ceo, CBMC International

    The United States sits under relentless scrutiny. In Europe, in Asia, and even from within its own borders, America has become a global dartboard — criticized, written off, mocked for its “outdated Christianity.” The headlines insist she is fractured beyond repair. But here’s what the news will never tell you: Christians in hostile territories are praying for the United States, not against her, but with tears of love for the American faithful.

    I was in Macau to strengthen marketplace leaders from across Asia when I saw them arrive — wave after wave of believers crossing the border from mainland China. The largest contingent. No cameras. No fanfare. Just professionals with unshakable resolve in their eyes. They moved with the quiet confidence of people who have already died to themselves. They didn’t walk like tourists. They walked like envoys of a Kingdom no regime can authorize, and no party can stop. After I finished teaching, one of them approached me. I’ll call her “Edith.” She’s been laboring in marketplace ministry for over a decade, mentoring executives, discipling women, and building the Church behind closed doors. She gripped my hands, tears already forming. “We look to America,” she said. “To keep being bold for Christ.” Then came the sentence that rearranged me: “Please, tell them we’re not their enemies. Tell the Americans that we love them. The government here does not speak for us.”

    She wasn’t finished. And in a way that would unsettle the cultural elites, she told me she loves the current U.S. administration — for praying publicly, for speaking the name of Jesus without apology, for refusing to treat faith like a liability. “That kind of clarity,” she whispered, “gives us courage.”

    She wasn’t talking politics. She was talking bloodline.

    The news follows nations. Heaven follows disciples. And history is being written through a family that the headlines do not even see.

    Months later, I was in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, another communist nation. Another place where faith is policed rather than celebrated. And yet, there it was again. Life. Underground. Rising like a blade of green through concrete. A local doctor led me through back streets to what is now the first Christian bookstore in the country. No branding. No business plan. Just light burning quietly in a place where darkness is cheaper. In a back room, I found a wall of blue binders. One of them with four letters written in pen: CBMC. Our marketplace ministry. Hidden. Preserved as a part of the Christian history of Vietnam. Reverently guarded. This was not an office. It was an archive of the faithfulness of God — so the testimony would not die. Ours was just one binder — but full of fruit: business owners discipling engineers, CEOs mentoring founders before launch day, prayer whispered over spreadsheets before trading hours.

    Marketplace — not as career — but as Kingdom insurgency. From Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, the gospel has been running across supply chains and startup corridors. Economics has become the riverbed of revival. The very commercial system the enemy has worked so hard to enslave us with has become the vehicle by which Christ is entering places pulpits will never reach.

    And this is what many American Christians still have trouble seeing: there is a vast, radiant, global Church moving beneath the border walls that politics and news headlines construct. Millions of believers, living under regimes that publicly curse the United States, do not see Americans as enemies. They see you as family. Kin. Same Spirit. Same Savior. Same future. They do not envy American freedom. They pray you will not waste it. Your internal chaos does not scandalize them. They are watching for your courage. I’ve looked into the faces of Gen Z believers across the planet — and I promise you — if my own children sat at their tables, whether in Shanghai or Moscow, they would feel no friction. Only family. Their plea — again and again — is never for protection. Never for money. “Tell them we’re not their enemies. Tell them we love them.”

    This is not a call to be naive about global threats. Evil is real. Regimes persecute. But governments are not the same as people. And people are not the same as the people of God. This is not some fragile remnant, clinging to survival. This is not a dying minority, fading out of history. This is the greatest unreported reality of our time. There is a living Church in places we only ever hear about in crisis language — and they are more awake, more faithful, and more full of love for America than we are prepared to believe.

    So if you are a believer in the United States, lift your eyes. Your faith has been noticed. Your boldness — when it is real — is already strengthening churches you will never see. Your freedom is not envied; it is interceded for. You are not isolated. You are not the last ones holding the line. You are part of a roaring family that heaven has woven across the earth. And that family is moving — through airports and boardrooms, export routes and tech corridors — preaching Christ where pulpits don’t fit but their voices ring true.

    Edith didn’t ask for sympathy. She asked for solidarity. She asked us to see clearly; to remember what the news refuses to. “Tell them we’re not their enemies.” So I am. Because flesh and blood are not as divided as governments. The Church is not as small as it looks.

    And despite the volume of the culture all around, the Kingdom is doing just fine.

    Christopher C. Simpson is President & CEO of CBMC International, a Christian marketplace ministry founded in the United States in 1930 and now equipping business and professional leaders to advance the gospel in more than 90 nations. A former U.S. Marine Corps officer and retired Senior Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service, he has spoken in over 40 countries on faith and leadership in the public square.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Being Repurposed, Not Replaced

    Being Repurposed, Not Replaced

    For many of us in the marketplace, our work – what we do – is a large part of our identity. What impact should it have then when striving to incorporate faith into how we carry out our vocational responsibilities? We find the best example in how Jesus Christ addressed this when choosing His closest followers.

    When Jesus called Peter and Andrew, He did not strip them of their identities. “And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men’” (Matthew 4:19). Jesus did not say, “Forget everything you know.” Instead, He spoke into their vocation as fishermen and redefined it: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” In essence, He was saying: Everything you’ve been shaped by – your skills, your instincts, your daily grind – I can use that. But now, for something eternal.

    Jesus did not replace their identity; He repurposed it. And this is precisely how He calls us today. We often assume that following Jesus means walking away from the career, the training, the story we have lived up to this point – as if being His disciple requires starting from scratch. But that is not the Gospel. The call of Christ is not to abandon our past, our skills, our experience, but to surrender them. It is not about becoming someone else – it is about letting Him redeem who we already are.

    God has sovereignly authored your experiences, your gifts, your network, your education, and even your struggles. To discard them would not only be wasteful – it would be unfaithful. It would imply that God has not been at work all along preparing you for usefulness in His Kingdom. But He has been at work. Always.

    I witnessed this firsthand during my time with the United States Secret Service. The mission was demanding: to secure environments, protect lives, anticipate threats. I took that mission seriously. But I began to realize that God had not called me out of that mission to serve Him – He had called me to filter it through my faith.

    One day, deep in the Cambodian jungle, we were preparing for a visit by the First Lady, the President’s wife. It was an advance site. But God had other plans. That day became the starting point of forming a Gospel-centered relationship with another agent from New York. That conversation, born out of professional proximity, turned into years of mentoring, prayer, and discipleship – until the Lord ultimately called my friend and fellow agent to his eternal home. The whole thing unfolded not in spite of my profession, but precisely through it.

    This is how Jesus Christ works. He does not waste a moment of your story. The very things you thought were secular, irrelevant, or “just your job,” might in fact be the very instruments through which He calls others to Himself. So don’t think the invitation to follow Jesus means leaving everything familiar behind. It means placing everything you are and everything you have been given into His hands – and trusting Him to repurpose it for His glory.

    You were gifted for a reason. You have been placed where you are on purpose. To separate your calling from your context is to misunderstand both. The call of Christ is not to discard your story; it is to declare a new purpose over it: Same hands. Same instincts. But…New mission. New Master.

    © 2025. C.C. Simpson is dedicated to fostering a bold and triumphant Christian faith within the global marketplace, driven by a deep conviction in the Gospel’s transformative power. Before becoming President of CBMC International, Chris dedicated 28 years to a distinguished career in the public sector – as a Commanding Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps; and serving in the U. S. Secret Service, responsible for protecting seven American presidents and leading elite teams in complex, high-stakes international missions. With his wife Ana, a native of Nicaragua, Chris resides in Boca Raton, Florida. 

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. In what ways has your career prepared you for Kingdom impact—perhaps without you realizing it at the time?

    Follow-up: How might your current skills, relationships, or position be uniquely positioned for Gospel influence right now?

    2. Jesus repurposed the disciples’ vocation rather than replacing it. How might this challenge our assumptions about what it means to “serve God” in the marketplace?

    Follow-up: Have you ever felt pressure to separate your faith from your work? Why do you think that divide exists?

    3. Reflecting on your own story, where do you see signs that God has been at work “redeeming, not discarding” your past?

    Follow-up: What part of your professional journey do you now view differently because of your faith?

    4. What would it practically look like to “filter your mission through your faith” in your industry or company?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Genesis 50:20; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 7:17; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:23-24

    Challenge for This Week
    Are there conversations to be had, decisions to be made, or relationships to be established or strengthened this week through which you can intentionally start to live out these truths? That God does not want to replace your identity, or re-place you somewhere else, but to repurpose who you are, what you do, and where you are to be actively engaged in His Kingdom work?

    If you know of someone who seems to have a good understanding of what it means live out his or her faith in the workplace, you might want to set a time to meet and talk about what they have learned.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Do You Trust Me?

    Do You Trust Me?

    I remember doing a teambuilding activity as a kid in Scouts, one of those dreaded trust falls. Standing on the edge of a picnic table, arms crossed over my chest, I closed my eyes and fell backward. Behind me stood five other 13-year-old boys with their arms outstretched, ready to catch me.

    That fall only lasted a second, but in that moment, it felt like ten. Ten seconds of wondering:
     Can they catch me? Will they?

    That question, Will they?, is the reason most people now roll their eyes at trust falls. They’ve become the punchline of teambuilding jokes. But why?

    Because deep down, we struggle with trust. We fear what might happen if we truly let go. And that’s not just true on the edge of a picnic table.

    “Do you trust Me?”

    That’s the question God whispered to me this morning during my quiet time, literally 20 minutes ago.

    And life is happening right now. I’m about to leave for a funeral. It’s the middle of a packed work week, loaded with projects and deadlines. At the end of the week, I’m driving one of my kids to Arizona for his sophomore year of college… 1,600 miles away, 25 hours by car. Two weeks later, we drop off his sister at her school. Then, just like that, the house will be empty again for the next nine months. In the middle of all this, God leans in and asks…

    “Do you trust Me?”

    With my kids?
     With my marriage?
     With my finances?
     With my to-do list?
     With my aging mom?

    If I’m being honest, I have a habit of trusting myself more than anyone else, including God. I believe He can do all things. I’ve got full faith in His power. But will He?

    That’s where I get stuck.

    My default has been to take over. To carry the load myself. It’s a pattern that’s been with me for decades and God is calling it out.

    “Do you trust Me?”

    When I opened my Bible this morning, like I often do, to a “random” page, I landed in Psalm 146. I’ve learned these moments are never random, and today, the words leapt off the page:

    Praise the Lord.

    Praise the Lord, my soul.

    I will praise the Lord all my life;

    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

    Do not put your trust in princes,

    in human beings, who cannot save.

    When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;

    on that very day their plans come to nothing.

    Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

    whose hope is in the Lord their God.

    He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
    the sea, and everything in them—
    he remains faithful forever.
    He upholds the cause of the oppressed
    and gives food to the hungry.
    The Lord sets prisoners free,
    the Lord gives sight to the blind,
    the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
    the Lord loves the righteous.
    The Lord watches over the foreigner
    and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
    but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

    The Lord reigns forever,
    your God, O Zion, for all generations.

    Praise the Lord.

    It describes the character of the God we’re called to trust:

    • He upholds the oppressed
    • He feeds the hungry
    • He sets prisoners free
    • He gives sight to the blind
    • He lifts up the broken
    • He watches over the outsider, the fatherless, and the widow
    • He reigns forever

    This is who God is. And He’s asking me to trust Him.

    So, here’s the prayer I wrote this morning, and maybe it’s a prayer for you too:

    God, today, help me to trust You. Help me release this fake trust I’ve placed in myself and turn my heart fully toward You. I trust You with my kids, my marriage, my finances, my business, my mom, and my health. In every area, shift my gaze toward You and away from the idol I’ve created in myself. I want to fall into Your arms with confidence, because I know You will catch me.

    …

    Written by John Gamades, author of WAR: A Tactical Guide for Christian Men and Conquer: Daily Devotions for the Christian Man

    Matt Trayler

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  • Seek His Face, Not His Hand

    Seek His Face, Not His Hand

    “When we seek His hand first, we often miss His face. When we seek His face first, we see His hand at work.”

    I attended a weekend retreat in January as a way to hear from God, get quiet with Him, and start my year with some clarity. Of all the things that were shared during our praise and worship time, the concept above landed hard for me.

    I am a hand-seeker. As much as I have tried to avoid treating God as a cosmic vending machine, I still find myself resisting the pull to seek His hand first. When I’m not careful, my morning prayers begin with, “Help me move this mountain.” “Deliver me from this situation.” “Provide for me in this area.” “Protect me from this.”

    The one word that weaves through all of those prayers? Me.

    I want to be careful here as I unpack this. Scripture is clear. God wants us to ask him for the things that matter to us most, the big things and the small ones.

    “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” – Matthew 21:22

    “And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” – 1 John 5:15

    “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” – John 16:24

    The Word is clear. Asking is Biblical, and we have a heavenly Father who is waiting for us to ask Him for things. Asking is an act of humility, responding to God for help and acknowledging that we are not in control. It is the ultimate form of release.

    The challenge is this. Too often, all we do is ask. Too often, we let our prayer life dry up, and then we ask in desperation. Too often, we seek God’s hand but forget to seek His face. We forget to acknowledge WHO we’re asking, and whose hand we’re seeking.

    It’s been three weeks, and I am working hard to seek His face first. I am spending time in worship as I pray, reminding myself with scripture of who God is. An example of this comes from Psalm 145. From verses 3-11, this is the God we serve…

    “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

    his greatness no one can fathom.

    One generation commends your works to another;

    they tell of your mighty acts.

    They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—

    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

    They tell of the power of your awesome works—

    and I will proclaim your great deeds.

    They celebrate your abundant goodness

    and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

    The Lord is gracious and compassionate,

    slow to anger and rich in love.

    The Lord is good to all;

    he has compassion on all he has made.

    All your works praise you, Lord;

    your faithful people extol you.

    They tell of the glory of your kingdom

    and speak of your might,”

    This is the face of the God I serve… a Father who is abundant in goodness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in love. He is the one who deserves my worship, praise, and adoration.

    That doesn’t mean I’m not seeking His hand or asking for His help in my life. I still have so many areas where I desperately need His power to flow… as a husband and a dad, in my business and my finances, as a son and a brother, in my health. His hand meets all of my needs, and I serve a God who moves mountains, delivers me, provides for me, and protects me.

    When the pressure mounts, it’s easy to become desperate for His hand. When we hit that spot where there’s nowhere else to turn, His hand is the only thing left. God, extend your hand to me and save me before it all falls apart. My need is about to be exposed. Save me by your hand. You are my last resort.

    Therein lies the problem.  I can’t approach His face and His hand in the wrong order, and I can’t see Him as my last resort. As a Christian man and leader, it’s essential that I approach God with the reverence He deserves, and that my connection with Him begins from a place of worship. I’ve learned over time, sometimes the hard way, that when I seek His face first, his hand follows.

    That’s my call to each of you reading this. God is waiting for you to seek His face.

    Need a place to start? Begin with Psalm 145, and then work through the Psalms. Pray the Psalms back to God, worshipping Him in the words of His own book. Scripture will reveal His face to you, and you’ll find daily reminders that the Father loves you in ways you can’t comprehend.

    – John Gamades, Author of WAR: A Tactical Guide for Christian Men

    CBMC Webmaster

  • My Word of 2025: Not One That I Wanted

    My Word of 2025: Not One That I Wanted

    I’ve never been someone who had a word of the year, or heard God “give me a word.” That said, whenever people would bring up “their word,” I would get a little wound up about it. If they heard from God and got a word, and I wasn’t hearing the same, I would get a little chippy with them. Maybe I was jealous or felt left out, but the question was always the same. Why wasn’t I getting a word? And, if I wasn’t getting a word, why was God giving them out to everyone else?

    A word of warning… Be careful what you wish for.

    About two months ago, it started. It would come up in conversations. I’d hear it in blog posts. Someone would recommend a book, and I’d see it there. It would be the topic of a sermon, and then I’d hear it in a podcast. All of a sudden, one word kept showing up everywhere, and I couldn’t get away from it.

    What was it?

    Release.

    Hindsight being twenty-twenty, I assume that this word has been circling me for a while. My wife would tell you that I’m not always a great listener. Perhaps God had been telling me to release for years, and I was missing the message? Maybe he chose this time, right now, to yell it a little louder?

    Either way, I feel like God has given me this word. It would be easy to attribute it to something more random or to say that I made it up in my head because it’s the word I wanted to hear. I get that, but here’s the reason I think otherwise.

    I can’t stand this word.

    This word that God has given me, “release,” is not a word I would have picked or chosen on my own. Maybe He could have given me “gather” or “conquer” as my word. I would have liked those better. How about “victory” or even “worship?” Again, those would have been easier to onboard for me.

    “Release” is a more challenging word for me. The whole concept of releasing is tough. I’m an entrepreneur who craves control in every area of my life. I live in a cause-and-effect world. I do my work and cause things to happen, and then the effects come. Results drive everything I do, and often, I like to think I am the creator of those results.

    That’s where “release” comes in. I feel like it is God’s reminder to me that I am not the creator of my results. I am a steward of my business, my team, my finances, my family… and nothing more. I am called to show up in all of those areas and expected to do my part of the work. And then, (here’s where it gets challenging for me), I am being called to release it.

    I’m being called to release the business I lead. I am being called to release my finances. I am being called to release my marriage and my kids who are now off at college. I am called to release my health.

    Releasing isn’t an excuse to be lazy. On the contrary, it’s pushing me to do my part and be a good steward. As long as I do that, I can live in confidence that God’s in charge of the rest of it. My protector, my provider, my healer, my Savior, my everything… He’s got it all under control.

    So, with that in mind, my journey for this new year is one of release. I’m not entirely sure how it will go or what God is about to teach me, but here’s one thing I do know for sure… Whenever I share this story of release, everyone I share it with has an area that this concept of releasing resonates. No one has told me yet that they don’t have something they need to release. At our core, we all have an area of our life where our internal control freak is holding on too tight. We grip too hard.

    So, my question for you is this…

    Will you join me this year on this journey of release? Will you look for that one area where you need to let something go, and will you give it to God?

    I have no idea where this will take us, but I have confidence that God’s got it.

    So, let’s release it and see what happens.

    John Gamades, Author

    WAR: A Tactical Guide for Christian Men

    Conquer: Daily Devotions for the Christian Man

    CBMC Webmaster

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  • When Jesus Shows Up at Work: Lessons from the Shepherds

    When Jesus Shows Up at Work: Lessons from the Shepherds

    What happens when Jesus meets you at work?

    The shepherds were at work when they encountered the angels. They were in the fields tending their flocks—engaged in the ordinary, routine tasks that defined their days. In the midst of their work, something extraordinary happened. From out of nowhere, an angel appeared with a message that changed their lives forever.

    And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

    –       Luke 2:8-12

    The Savior had been born, and the shepherds were invited to witness His arrival.

    “​​So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

    –       Luke 2:16-18

    From the fields to the manger, this moment of transformation is a powerful reminder of how Jesus meets us in the everyday. Just as the shepherds were called out of their routine to experience the miraculous, we, too, are invited to encounter Jesus in profound ways, even in our professional lives.

    The Ordinary of Our Work

    We spend our days managing spreadsheets, leading our teams, jumping between calls, and serving customers. We’re not shepherds, but our work often feels routine. We’re in the “fields” of modern life. The demands of deadlines, goals, and responsibilities leave little room for awe or reflection. Too often, we lose sight of how God can work through even our most mundane tasks.

    The shepherds’ story reminds us that no part of our work is too insignificant for God to use. The fields were the shepherds’ workplace, and that’s exactly where the angel showed up to them. The same holds true for us—our workplaces are not separate from our faith journeys. They’re connected more than we know.

    Stepping Toward the Manger

    When the shepherds heard the angel’s message, they immediately left their fields and flocks to see Jesus. Their willingness to step away from their work to go and be with Jesus speaks volumes. So does the fact that God chose them to hear this message. The shepherds were everyday workers, yet they were chosen to stand in awe at the manger.

    Think about your work life… We often hesitate to step away from the urgent for the important, but the Christmas story calls us to make room for moments of awe, worship, and transformation. It calls us to pause—amid deadlines, meetings, and projects—to reflect on the miracle of Christ’s birth. When we do this, we experience the extraordinary in our ordinary.

    Living Transformed Lives

    After visiting the manger, the shepherds returned to their fields, but they were changed. They glorified and praised God, carrying the joy of their experience back to their workplace. This is the heart of the Christmas story: It’s an encounter with Christ that transforms us and brings meaning to our lives.

    This year, as we celebrate Christmas, let’s take a cue from the shepherds. Take the time to pause amid the chaos of work to reflect on the miracle of Christ’s birth. Allow His presence to transform your perspective on work, shifting it from routine to worship. Let’s carry the joy of the manger into our offices, to our meetings, and through our businesses, glorifying God in all we do.

    To each of you this season, Merry Christmas!

    –       John Gamades, Author of WAR: A Tactical Guide for Christian Men

    CBMC Webmaster

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  • Seek Him First (Not Second, Third, or Last)

    Seek Him First (Not Second, Third, or Last)

    When I first started reading my Bible and trying to have a morning quiet time, I didn’t really have the tools to do it well. Frankly, no one had ever equipped me to have a quiet time. I had no tools.

    Truth be told, my early quiet times were an exercise in checking the box. I’d open my Bible, read some passages, and end up with little or no idea what God was trying to tell me. In fact, by 8:00 AM, when I rolled into the office, I couldn’t recall what I had read. Nothing stuck.

    Then, in a men’s study I was in, some men fed into me and coached me on what to look for while reading my Bible. One of the things those men taught me was to look at the words I was reading more carefully. As a writer and author, I know how much words matter. As a reader, I had been going too fast to catch some of those words God was giving me… until I slowed down.

    Fast forward to this morning. During my quiet time, God put Matthew 6:31-33 on my heart.

    “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:31-33

    Specifically, God gave me two words this morning…

    “Seek first.”

    Looking at Matthew 6:31-33, we are told to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” When we do that, the other things we’re worried and anxious about will fade away. The Word tells us our challenges will be taken care of as long as we approach them in the right order.

    Too often, though, I approach things in a different order. As a man who still likes to believe I am in control, I include God second, third, or at the end when all else fails. I set my goals, define what my day will look like, check in with my assistant, and review our numbers. Then, when I feel like I have everything locked down, I pull God into the conversation, almost as an afterthought. 

    I just came back from a trip into the mountains. After days in the backcountry with mountains on the horizon every day, I realized that I have a handful of personal mountains in front of me right now… mountains that I need to include God in first… mountains that will require God to be more than just an afterthought.

    In Matthew 17:20, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

    I want my mountains to move. They’re big, and if I am going to be honest, I cannot move them on my own no matter how hard I try. Looking at Matthew 6:31-33 and 17:20, there is a clear correlation between the size of my faith and seeking God first. If my faith is real, and I truly trust God to move my mountains, I will make him my go-to… not a last-ditch alternative.

    I will seek Him first.

    Men, that’s my challenge for each of you today. Whatever mountain you’re facing, set aside your desire to control it. Seek God first, not last. Then, having faith in his love and ability, let Him move the mountain for you. Let’s get this in the right order as we lead our businesses, families, churches, and communities.

    Encourage one another in this, celebrate God’s hand in moving our mountains, and seek Him first together.

    John Gamades, Author of WAR: A Tactical Guide for Christian Men

    CBMC Webmaster

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  • Are you part of the 49% of Christians who don’t plan to vote?

    Are you part of the 49% of Christians who don’t plan to vote?

    CBMC Team,

    I recently read from a Barna study stating that 49% of Christians in America don’t plan to vote in the upcoming election.

    This number startled me, and it got me thinking.

    As president of CBMC USA, I get the privilege of traveling around the world and seeing how people from other countries live and listening to how they view the USA.

    You may find this hard to believe based on media reports, but one thing I hear time and time again is how they admire the United States and wish they had the same political and spiritual freedoms that we have in our country.

    Last I checked, God is still sovereign, and He will still be on His throne on November 6th regardless of who wins. There are many verses that support this, but I like the clarity of Col 1:16 “For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.”

    So, the question that I have been wrestling with is what are we to do regarding this election?  If God is in control, then I guess I don’t have to do anything – right?  But then why does He give us free will?  Del Tackett, creator of the Truth Project, describes God’s great meta-narrative as this: Creation, Fall, Redemption, Engagement and Restoration.  As you may have already figured out, we are somewhere between the redemption of the world (Jesus on the cross) and the restoration of the world (Jesus comes back to reign).  We are in that time and place in which God is using us in His plan for the restoration of the world.  He uses us to share our faith with those who don’t know Him.  He commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to go and make disciples.

    But what does He say about voting for a candidate that doesn’t line up with all my views and whom I don’t even like all that well?  Unfortunately, He doesn’t!

    Let’s be honest, both presidential candidates are broken people like the rest of us.  I am sure that you have local and state officials that are also broken people hoping to get elected to govern our broken, imperfect world.

    It has become increasingly difficult to discern the truth.  Our trust in the media has never been lower.  Here is an interesting little factoid: 50 years ago, there were approximately 50 companies controlling the media and the messages we heard.  Today, that number is 6.

    As I mentioned at our recent National Men’s Conference in St. Louis— Biblical Worldview Matters!  People’s worldview determines how they will lead, and how voters will vote on very important issues.

    Romans 13:1 says we are to submit ourselves to the governing authorities because God establishes these authorities.

    But what if we don’t like them as people?

    I think we all will be held accountable for our actions and if you just can’t vote for someone, I think that is your right.

    However, I think there is a bigger issue with the 49% not voting in this election.  I think they aren’t separating these broken people from the policies that they and their party stand for. 

    These are complex issues.  In the past, we often relied on the media to do some of the thinking for us.  We can no longer do that, today we must think on our own.

    A friend of mine suggested that we start a third-party movement called MATA – “Make America Think Again”. 

    As Christians, we must recognize issues and candidates that conflict with God’s design. We must understand their positions and compare them to the ultimate authority of God’s Word when thinking about the sanctity of human life, parental rights, freedom of religion and speech, and protecting children.

    I am not telling you who to vote for. What I am praying for, however, is that we would all lean in and engage. God can use us in this season as we exercise our right and privilege to vote. Let’s prayerfully approach the ballot box and trust God with the results, knowing He is always on His throne (Isaiah 6:1).

    Lean in and join the 51% and vote!

    David Meyers

    CBMC President

    CBMC Webmaster

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