A man looking at his phone while reclined and smiling

Our Blog

Grow in your faith and professional life.

ALL ARTICLES

  • When God Says, “Ask for Anything”

    When God Says, “Ask for Anything”

    “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

    That’s the question God posed to Solomon, a young man newly anointed as king over all of Israel.

    Just imagine hearing that from God. If you’re anything like me, your mind starts racing. What would you ask for? Wealth or power? Relationships or health? Provision or protection? Kingdoms or possessions?

    If I look back at my twenty-year-old self, I know I wouldn’t have had the maturity to respond the way Solomon did in 1 Kings 3:

    At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

    Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” – 1 Kings 3: 5-9

    With everything on the table and no limits, Solomon asks for wisdom. That single request reveals self-control, discipline, and a deep awareness of his limitations. He recognizes his gaps. And more than anything, he wants discernment—the ability to lead well and judge rightly.

    God’s response to that humble request is powerful:

    “I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.” – 1 Kings 3: 12-13

    So what can we take away from this as leaders today?

    Wisdom is the key to everything.
    Solomon’s request—and God’s response—show us that success starts with wisdom. Discernment helps us make better decisions, avoid pitfalls, and navigate what’s ahead. While the world chases wealth and power, Solomon teaches us to chase God’s guidance first.

    Stewardship requires wisdom.
    God has entrusted us with leadership—not to act as creators, but as stewards. That mindset shift changes everything. When we recognize that what we lead ultimately belongs to Him, we stop rushing ahead and start seeking His direction first.

    Humility is a leadership superpower.
    Solomon didn’t pretend to have it all figured out. He acknowledged his inexperience and asked for help. As leaders, we often feel pressure to have all the answers. But real strength comes from admitting we don’t—and asking God to fill the gap.

    No matter where God has placed you—in business, in transition, or winding down your career—seek wisdom. Ask for it. His Word promises to provide it:

    “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5 NIV

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

    Matt Trayler

    ,

  • The Whole: Greater than the Sum of the Parts

    The Whole: Greater than the Sum of the Parts

    Have you ever heard someone say, “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts”? This was a reality I learned in profound ways years ago when I was the editor for the magazine CBMC published, CONTACT Quarterly. Much of the writing and editing fell on my shoulders, but I was fortunate to have a small team of people who contributed greatly to the content and graphic design.

    I remember going into planning meetings armed with my own ideas for how the magazine should come together. But during several hours of “creative conflict,” we always arrived at decisions that were much better than I could have come up with alone. Everyone had made valuable contributions. The finished product always exceeded our expectations. Because the whole was greater than the sum of the parts.

    This was where I learned the truth of two Bible passages that I’ve never forgotten:
    “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).
    “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!… A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

    Business and professional leaders are often tempted to work alone – setting goals, devising plans and choosing strategies without encouraging input and feedback from people who will be responsible for implementing them. At best this is exhausting; at worst it is a path to failure.

    We find an excellent example of this in the Bible’s Old Testament book of Exodus. God had chosen Moses to lead the people of Israel out of captivity in Egypt. During their journey to the land God had promised them, he had taken upon himself the responsibility for resolving conflicts great and small that developed among the many thousands of Israelites.

    Moses was serving as judge for the people from morning until evening, leaving both him and the people worn out and irritable. His father-in-law, Jethro, observed this and recognized Moses’ folly in attempting to do this all by himself. “What is this you are doing for the people?” he asked. “Why do you alone sit as judge, while these people stand around you from morning till evening?… What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone” (Exodus 18:14-18).

    Jethro suggested an alternative: To appoint “capable men from all the people – men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain” to serve as judges over all but the most difficult cases. He said, “That will make your load lighter…. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied” (Exodus 18:21-23). Moses accepted his father-in-law’s wisdom and adopted that plan, delegating judicial responsibilities to everyone’s satisfaction. 

    We would be wise to heed the same advice. Whether CEO, high-level executive, manager, entrepreneur, or lower on the corporate ladder, we all have much to benefit from utilizing the strengths, talents, gifts and experience of others that complement our own. As 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

    © 2025. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; and The Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. When have you worked on a project with others in which the result clearly showed that the same outcome could not have come about by working separately or in isolation? Did you find it gratifying to realize the benefits of collaborating together? Explain your answer.
    2. The proverb says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man [one person] sharpens another.” Have you ever experienced this? In what ways?
    3. Why do some people seem set on working independently rather than encouraging and welcoming the participation of others in the process? Do you think it is a matter of pride or ego, or lack of trust and confidence in the capabilities that others have? Why or why not?
    4. How do you think you would react if a ‘Jethro’ approached you and pointed out some flaws in your approach to work, perhaps ways that delegating responsibility or using the strengths of others could prove to be beneficial?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Ephesians 4:15-16; Hebrews 10:24; 1 Peter 4:10

    Challenge for This Week
    Maybe you are someone who enjoys teamwork, collaborating with others in a well-organized team to accomplish specific goals and objectives. If so, this week would be a good opportunity to observe how others around you work. If they are more inclined to work on their own, you might try to find ways for encouraging them to utilize the abilities of others to become even more productive.

    If you are one of those who enjoys being a “lone ranger,” working independently of others, this could be a time for reassessing that approach. Is it working the best for you? You might discuss this with a trusted friend, advisor, mentor, or your CBMC group if you are part of one. What wisdom do they have to offer you?

    Matt Trayler

    , ,

  • Leading in the Uncertain Middle

    Leading in the Uncertain Middle

    By Christopher C. Simpson 

    Beginnings captivate us. Endings bring relief or celebration. But leadership? Leadership happens in the middle – the long, unglamorous stretch where the path forward is not always clear, where crises emerge uninvited, and where the weight of responsibility presses down with relentless force.

    This is where most leaders live. You are managing a team, making decisions, building something meaningful – and suddenly, you are caught in the middle of something far bigger than you expected. An economic downturn. An employee on the brink of collapse. A moral crossroads you never saw coming. The middle is unpredictable, messy, and often exhausting. And it’s right here that leaders begin to ask: What in the world is happening?!

    Here is the challenge: The middle is where fear thrives. When outcomes are uncertain, the temptation is to seize control, retreat, or wait until clarity arrives. But what if clarity never comes? What if God is calling you to lead, not with certainty, but with trust?

    Think about Israel’s story in Exodus. We know the dramatic beginning: Joseph, miraculously raised to power in Egypt, preserving God’s people. We know the triumphant ending: Moses, the plagues, the Red Sea splitting open to provide divine deliverance for the Israelites. But what about the middle?

    For 430 years, generations were born, worked, and died in slavery – clinging to promises they never saw fulfilled: no signs, no timeline, no explanation of how their suffering fit into God’s plan. Yet, history shows us what they could not see: God was working. Behind the silence, His plan was unfolding, preparing a deliverer, setting the stage for redemption. The middle felt like chaos. But it was not chaos. It was divine providence.

    That is where so many leaders stand today. We celebrate success stories and hear about defining breakthroughs. But no one talks about the slow, grueling middle – the years of unseen faithfulness, the sacrifices that feel unnoticed, the tension of not knowing if your efforts will ever pay off.

    Yet this is where God is at work. Your leadership is not just about hitting targets, executing strategies, or climbing the ladder. It is about being faithfully present where God has placed you. And the astonishing truth of Scripture is that He does not wait for you to figure it all out before He moves. He’s not waiting at the finish line with crossed arms. He is in the middle. In the uncertainty. In the pressure. In the very place you are tempted to try to escape.

    And here is the best news: God is not asking for fearless, flawless faith. He delights in leaders who just keep showing up, even when they feel like they are barely holding on.

    So, if you are in the middle right now – leading through uncertainty, shouldering burdens that feel beyond you – know this: You are not abandoned. That thread you are desperately clinging to? It is anchored to an unshakable God. Leadership is not about your ability to control the future. It is about trusting the One who already holds it. Hold on.

    © 2025. Christopher 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. What does it mean to lead with trust rather than certainty? How have you seen God work in situations where you lacked clarity?
    2. How do you recognize God’s presence in the “middle” of your leadership journey? Can you recall a season where you felt you were waiting on God?
    3. Why does God often work behind the scenes instead of giving us immediate answers? How does the story of Israel’s 430 years of waiting in Egypt while enslaved challenge your perspective on God’s timing?
    4. What temptations do leaders face when they feel out of control, and how can we respond faithfully? How can Scripture help you resist the urge to act out of fear rather than faith?
    5. How can we encourage and strengthen others who are leading in the uncertain middle? What can you do to remind your team, colleagues, or family that God is present in their uncertainty?

    Biblical Passages for Further Exploration
    Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” A reminder that leadership is about trust, not personal control.

    Exodus 3:7-8 – “Then the Lord said, ‘I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry… And I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians.’” God sees, hears, and acts—even when it feels like He is silent.

    Psalm 27:13-14 – “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Encouragement for those in the middle, learning to wait with faith.

    2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” A perspective shift on suffering and perseverance in leadership.

    Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” A promise of God’s presence and sustaining power in difficult leadership seasons.

    Challenge for This Week
    When was the last time you found yourself in the ‘uncertain middle’? Perhaps you find yourself there now. This week it might be good to schedule time for you to discuss with others – a trusted friend, mentor, or your advisory group – what you are currently facing, seeking God’s perspective on those challenges.

    Matt Trayler

    , ,

  • 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

    ,

  • In Your Challenges, Remember.

    In Your Challenges, Remember.

    There are moments in our lives when trouble comes. From relationship challenges to prodigal children to job loss and the challenges of being a leader… the Bible is clear. Our Christian faith does not guarantee us easy lives or protection from suffering.

    A friend of mine summed it up this way for me years ago. “You’re either in a storm, you’re coming out of one, or there’s a storm coming.” He may have come up with that or aquired it from someone else. Either way, it’s a truth we all live with. There will always be storms.

    Reading through the beginning of Psalm 77, we quickly pick up on the fact that the writer is in a storm…

    “I cried out to God for help;
    I cried out to God to hear me.
    When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
    at night I stretched out untiring hands,
    and I would not be comforted.”

    -Psalm 77:10-12 NIV

    Been there. I have felt that way, and likely, so have you. We’ve all had moments where the pressure gets heavy – where we finally break down and cry out for help. Personally or professionally, possibly even both, we find ourselves in the valley. The only place to look is up, so we seek God’s hand.

    Sometimes, the response we receive from God is fast and clear. Help comes quickly, and the Lord’s response is obvious. Other times, like the psalmist, we wonder if God hears us. We wonder if we’re being ignored, if we’ve been forgotten, or if God is withholding his love from us.

    “Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
    Has his promise failed for all time?
    Has God forgotten to be merciful?
    Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

    -Psalm 77:8-9 NIV

    In these moments, when the wondering creeps in and our confidence is shaken, the psalmist provides us with a strategy for resting in Him even when we don’t see him. As a leader and a business owner, I’m a guy who loves strategies. Give me a strategy and a plan to follow, and I’m in. This one doesn’t disappoint…

    One word: Remember.

    “Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal:
    the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
    I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
    I will consider all your works
    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.’”

    -Psalm 77:10-12 NIV

    Remember. When the challenges are getting heavy and God’s responses feel light, think back to those times when He showed up for you. Remember the miracles and blessings that He’s already done. Consider how He has worked in your life.

    That’s a strategy we can lean into.

    They say hindsight is 20/20. Remembering is our opportunity to tap into hindsight, looking back on God’s hand in our lives and all the times He’s carried us through the struggles. It’s spending some time acknowledging all the challenges we’ve faced and how He has consistently shown up – never late, always on time.

    When the psalmist calls us to remember, consider, and meditate on His works, it reminds us to control where our thoughts take us. Instead of letting our minds lead us down negative paths, it’s a call to refocus on the positive and to set our mind on things above, specifically on a God who loves us and will never forsake us.

    The storms will come, and they will go. Consistent in the middle of the storms is the love of a Father who stretches out His hand over our situations and does mighty deeds.

    Remember that today, and take the time to remember how He’s proven that in your past.

    …

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

    CBMC Webmaster

    , ,

  • The One Leadership Book You Need Above All Others

    The One Leadership Book You Need Above All Others

    Culture is full of resources on leadership. Spend any time in Barnes and Noble or searching books on Amazon, and there is a massive amount of writing on the topic. Everyone has their take on where leadership begins, what leadership looks like, and even when leaders should eat. (Simon Sinek reminds us that leaders should eat last.)

    As Christian leaders, what book should we pull off the shelf to guide our leadership? Other options may come with some gold nuggets, but the one book that should guide how we lead above all others is our Bible. With that in mind, here is a word from Paul in the book of Titus on what leadership looks like.

    “An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”

    – Titus 1:6-9 NIV

    As Paul is writing this to Titus, he is guiding Titus in what he should be looking for in the leaders he appoints. Reading the above passage, Paul outlines what a man of character looks like, creating a checklist that Titus can use to guide his appointment of elders. He is to find men who fit this description, not perfectly, but who can be trained to excel in all of these areas.

    You and I, as leaders, should be open to training in all of these areas as well. Leaders do not aim for perfection, but an openness to growing in these areas is essential. As leaders being trained by God, we should be looking to grow in self-control, hospitality, discipline, and holiness. We should be striving everyday to hold firm to the words of scripture while encouraging those in our circles to do the same, especially our wives and children. 

    At the same time, we should resist being overbearing or quick-tempered. We should also fight against drunkenness, violence, and winning by cheating or bending the rules. Again, discipline and self-control should guide us, even when our emotions and chaos try to get the best of us.

    Becoming a man of character is a daily battle. Every day, we encounter challenges that test our commitment to developing this kind of Biblical leadership. There will be pressure in our marriages, raising our children and in our relationships with them, and in our work and professional lives. Becoming the kind of leader Paul describes to Titus is not easy… but it is worth it.

    Today, look at that list and do a quick assessment. Where are you winning today and leading the way God guides us, and where could you use a little work? What areas do you see that need some attention in your life? Defining where you need some training is the first step in becoming a man of character and a leader worth following. Answer those questions, and then start strengthening yourself to become the leader God designed you to be.

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

    CBMC Webmaster

    ,

  • What's God Telling You To Do?

    What's God Telling You To Do?

    What’s God Telling You To Do?

    Often in life, we find ourselves asking God what He wants from us. What do you want me to do? How should I react in this situation? Where should I set down this fear and anxiety?

    Life would be easier if there were billboards along the side of the road with personalized messages for us, answering all of these questions. The bad news is that’s not how our walk with God works. The good news is that God has other ways of communicating with us, one of the primary ways being His word.

    An example of this comes from the first few verses of Psalm 37, which I’ve repeatedly returned to over the last six months. There may not be a billboard, but we see that God has given us some powerful instructions on how to live and what He wants from us…

    “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;”

    – Psalm 37:1

     

    “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”

    – Psalm 37:3

     

    “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

    – Psalm 37:4

     

    “Commit your way to the Lord;”

    – Psalm 37:5

     

    “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;”

    – Psalm 37:7

    All of these verses point back to one theme: Confidence.

    As a business owner, a husband, a dad, a son, and as a man, I spent the first two-thirds of my life chasing confidence in many areas of my life. I wanted to feel like I was enough as a husband and a father. I wanted to feel like I belonged in the conversations I was having at work. I wanted to feel like I measured up as a leader. I wanted to feel like I was making the grade and keeping up in the world’s eyes.

    Over and over again, chasing confidence led me to chasing the wrong things—success, money, respect, titles, accolades, and attaboys. I wanted to be seen, valued, and in some cases, to be put on a pedestal. Over time, the chasing became exhausting.

    Then, I came to realize that my confidence comes from one place and one place only – from God. His message for us at the beginning of Psalm 37 is clear. Find your confidence in Me.

    Do not fret before Me.

    Trust Me.

    Delight in Me.

    Commit your ways to Me.

    Be still before Me.

    Wait patiently on Me.

    Find your confidence in Me.

    As men, the world attempts to eat away at our confidence every day. Sometimes it chips away at us aggressively, and other times, the wearing away comes in the form of ocean saltwater that crashes against our shores and erodes our coastlines over years and decades. We battle that voice on our shoulder that tells us we’re not enough, we’re not keeping up, and that we should keep chasing what the world has for us – that what the world offers will build us up and make us confident.

    It won’t.

    Instead, we lean into our Father. As sons of God, we approach Him expectantly. We trust Him, delight in Him, and commit our ways to Him. We make time to get still, and we practice patience. And we know that He has everything we need.

    If you’re anything like me, you need other men around you to remind you of these truths from time to time. When life’s challenges show up at work and home, we can find ourselves questioning God and if He is who He says He is. In those moments, the counsel of other believing men can be what points us back to truths like Psalm 37. Sometimes, when we’re tempted to chase our confidence, we need another man to remind us who we are and who we serve. It’s in those moments that iron truly does sharpen iron.

    Today, ask yourself, “Where does my confidence come from?” Spend some time with that. Wrestle with the tough questions, and ask God to show you how He wants you to show up, living life His way.

    CBMC Webmaster

    ,

  • Embracing Life in the Fire

    Embracing Life in the Fire

    In Daniel 3, we hear the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. King Nebuchadnezzar had created an image of gold and instructed the people to fall down and worship it with this warning… Those who did not worship the idol would be thrown into a blazing furnace.

    In Daniel 1, we learned that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not followers. Along with Daniel, they had taken a stand and, unknown to King Nebuchadnezzar, they had refused to eat the choice food and wine from his table. Fast-forward to the king’s new golden idol, and these men would stand again. This time their stand would be visible and obvious to the king.

    In Daniel 3:12, the astrologers expose Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for their lack of worship. “But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

    Nebuchadnezzar is enraged and brings the men before him, confronting them with the blazing furnace, to which they reply in Daniel 3: 16-18, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

    Nebuchadnezzar’s rage grew, and he ordered the furnace to be heated to seven times its normal temperature. Then, the three men we bound and thrown into the furnace – into flames so hot that the soldiers who put them inside were killed.

    What happens next is the reason for writing this post… In Daniel 3:24, we read, “Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

    Nebuchadnezzar is amazed and has the men released from the furnace. They exit unharmed, and scripture tells us that “the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.”

    This story brings us three truths we can all embrace today as men…

    1. We will be asked to bow down to idols. You and I experience this every day. Our idols may not be golden or brought to us by kings, but there are temptations around every corner trying to lure us into bowing down. Our careers and businesses can become idols, and even our marriages and children can become idols. When we take God down off the pedestal and replace him there, we worship idols in our lives – and this can be a very easy trap to fall into.
    2. Sometimes, not bowing down will land us in the furnace. It can come with challenges and friction when we resist worshiping the idols that culture brings us. It can feel like we are choosing to step into the fire when we choose not to worship the things of this world. Standing on our faith and choosing God over culture can be very uncomfortable, especially today.
    3. We can have confidence knowing that Jesus stands in the furnace beside us. Where idols and division and friction abound, the one thing we can lean into with confidence is this: We are not alone. No matter what fire we find ourselves in or how hot the world cranks up the temperature, we can stand firm, knowing that God is in control. The idols will not last – but God will, and that’s where we put our faith.

    We are called to stand as leaders, husbands, fathers, and men in our churches. We are called not to bow to idols but to keep our eyes and our worship on the one true God who stands with us in the fire. When we do that and exhibit that level of confidence to the world we live in, we can have the same impact that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had.

    Daniel 3:28-29 shares that impact with us. “Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”

    CBMC Webmaster

    ,

  • Doing It Myself, Trusting in the Lord… or Both?

    Doing It Myself, Trusting in the Lord… or Both?

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes”

    -Proverbs 3:5-7

    I am a “make it happen” kind of guy. Like many other men, I was trained at a young age that if I wanted something, I needed to go get it. That journey began as a kid when I started my first lawn mowing business. I learned quickly that if I wanted things, it was up to me to go get them – and I had the power to make that happen. Align that with an inner desire to build, create, and hunt, and it was easy to slide into an “I’ll do this all myself” mindset.

    That mindset stuck with me. In my career, leadership, and running a business, it followed me. Years later, I am still that 12-year-old boy with a lawn mower on a mission to make things happen.

    Sound familiar?

    Proverbs 3 challenges that thinking. We are warned not to be wise in our own eyes or to lean on our own understanding. Instead, it reminds us that we need to trust in the Lord, not our own abilities, and that God alone will direct our paths. Proverbs 16:9 shares a similar message.

    “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”

    What does this mean for us? The Word clearly tells us to trust the Lord, lean into Him, and allow Him to establish our steps. None of those include a “now, go make things happen” directive. Hearing this, it would be easy to take a step back and become passive, but go back to those two verses we shared above…

    “He shall direct your paths.”

    “The Lord establishes their steps.”

    Clearly, in both cases, we are called to move. These verses tell the story of a man on a path, not sitting still but moving. We are called to take our steps and do our part to make things happen while God does his. It’s a collaborative partnership of epic proportions. God does his part, and we do ours. He makes things happen on His side, and we make things happen on ours – working together.

    So, yes. As men, we’re called to make things happen. There is work to be done, and God expects us to participate actively in that work. At the same time, we are called to trust God with the results, the direction, and where our work takes us. We’re reminded that as much as we know the course and where the journey is leading, God may take us in a different direction. Wherever that is, we need to trust Him to lead our lives, provide for our needs, and make things happen for us. Do your part… and let God do His.

    CBMC Webmaster

    ,

  • Your Legacy Begins Today… And it Begins with Serving Others

    Your Legacy Begins Today… And it Begins with Serving Others

    There comes a time in every man’s life when we grapple with this question. “What’s my legacy going to be?” Asking this question can be especially timely as we transition from one year to the next, setting goals and looking toward the future. We’re all going to leave a legacy. The question is whether we’ll leave it intentionally or it will just be created by accident. 

    As young men, this idea of legacy rarely shows up on our radar. We’re focused on other things, and the runway in front of us to create our legacy is long. Legacy seems far away and can be hard to focus on amidst everything else. Who has time for this?

    As we mature, physically and spiritually, the runway gets shorter – and our relationship with legacy changes. It becomes more of a priority and something we think about more frequently. “When I’m gone, what will I leave behind?

    That can be a daunting question. It can be easy to make our legacy about many things, some of which are very good and even Biblical. Using your finances to leave a legacy and further the kingdom is one way to approach answering what you’ll leave behind and where your priorities live. Equally important, though, is the imprint we make in the world when we serve others.

    Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

    -Matthew 20:26-28

    Jesus spoke about servant leadership, but even more compelling, He lived it out. Specifically, the story of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet at the last supper illustrates what servant leadership looks like with a command that we follow His example.

    So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

    -John 13:4-5, 14-15

    From our businesses to our living rooms to our communities, living a life focused on serving one another is one simple path to creating our legacy. A powerful way to live this out is to invest in the lives of other men. As we search for significance and generational influence in our lives, the brotherhood we share with other guys is significant.

    What are some examples of this?

    • Disciple another man through Operation Timothy
    • Lead a Bible study at your church
    • Support a man you know who is going through trials
    • Spend time investing in the spiritual foundations of your sons
    • Slow down and take time to share a meal together
    • Be there for a brother who is dealing with health challenges

    For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

    -Luke 22:27

    Becoming the man God wants you to be includes leaving a legacy behind that is based on investing in other men. If you want to reach your full potential and become more like the man God designed you to be, begin by serving your brothers, their families, and their children.

    CBMC Webmaster

    ,