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  • An Important Part of Work is Getting Enough Rest

    An Important Part of Work is Getting Enough Rest

    BY ROBERT J. TAMASY

    Someone described spectator sports in this way: Thousands of fans sitting in their seats – people desperately in need of exercise – watching athletes desperately in need of rest. Many of us have a great need for more physical activity. At the same time, however, rest is something we also require – especially as we negotiate the stressful, frenetic business and professional world.

    Years ago, I had been in the midst of a very hectic schedule: Lots of early morning meetings, demanding daily schedules and deadlines, and a considerable amount of travel. An illness suddenly stopped me in my tracks. Forced to remain at home for several days, I would sit down and try to do some important reading but very quickly would fall asleep. I had not realized how weary I had become. A few days later I was back to work, reinvigorated, and keenly aware of my need for getting sufficient rest.

    In some professions the 40-hour week is regarded as working ‘part-time.’ It is not unusual for people in some businesses to work 70, 80, even 100 hours a week! While there might be times when such schedules are unavoidable, working at that pace over long periods of time will inevitably take a toll physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally – and spiritually.

    The Scriptures speak to this. While we often read calls to action and faithful service to God and His purposes, we also find instructions to rest – both body and spirit. Here are some examples:

    Rest is fitting for everyone – even God. The first chapter of Genesis describes all God did in creating the heavens, the earth, and all of the universe. Then we are told once His work was done, He chose to rest. “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work” (Genesis 2:2).

    God designed us for rest. One of the 10 Commandments is for us to set aside a day for “sabbath rest,” hitting the pause button from all our labors, regardless of what form they may take. No matter who we are, no matter what we do, we all need time to rest. “Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest, even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest” (Exodus 34:21). 

    Sabbath rest is a gift, not a burden. When God ordained the Sabbath day, He did not do so to institute new regulations. He did it for our benefit, to remind us of the importance of rest and renewal. “Then [Jesus] said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath’” (Mark 2:27). 

    Taking time to rest can be a form of worship. One of the worst admonitions anyone can make is, “Do as I say, not as I do.” When God instructs His people to rest, He points to Himself as an example of doing just that. “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God, for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His” (Hebrews 4:9-10). 

    There is a time to work – and a time to rest. Many of us are busily trying to do things for God, and that is good. But the Scriptures also tell us there is a time to slow down, rest, and focus on Him. “Trust in the Lord and do good…. Delight yourself in the Lord…. Commit your way to the Lord…. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him…” (Psalm 37:3-7). 

    © 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. Describe your typical work schedule each week. If an objective observer were to evaluate it, do you think you would be regarded as working excessively, even being a so-called ‘workaholic’? Why or why not?
    2. How good are you at resting? When you take time to rest and relax, what does that look like? Do you think you give yourself sufficient time to recharge physically and mentally?
    3. What role do you think that rest – taking a deliberate break from work, for a few minutes or a day or even a week – can play in our spiritual growth and development?
    4. In what ways can a commitment to getting sufficient rest affect our productivity at work, as well as our sense of joy, satisfaction and fulfillment in what we do?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Deuteronomy 5:12-14; Psalm 23:1-4, 46:10; Isaiah 40:29-31; Matthew 11:28-30; Mark 6:30-31

    Challenge for This Week
    Looking at the week ahead of you, do you feel rested, refreshed and renewed, or do you feel weary and beaten down even before the week gets underway?

    Take some time to pray and reflect on your balance between work and rest. We are called to work diligently and faithfully, but if we are not sufficiently rested, eventually that will be reflected in the quality and quantity of our work. It might be helpful to discuss this with a mentor and small group of trusted friends.

    Matt Trayler

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  • 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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  • Abide: How Staying Connected Transforms Everything

    Abide: How Staying Connected Transforms Everything

    During a recent Bible study, we spent some time looking at John 15, specifically verses 4-9, which included the word “abide.”

    “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” – John 15:4-9, ESV

    I want everything in those verses for my life. I want to bear fruit. I want to be able to ask my Father for help and trust He has my back. I want to live as a disciple and be in His love.

    For that to be a reality, I need to abide.

    I often catch myself rushing past verses like this – the kind of verses I’ve heard since grade school multiple times over. I‘ve slipped into an all-to-common, “yeah, I already know this” mindset. That’s where I was sitting before this recent Bible study, and then one of the guys I was with made us all dig a little deeper…

    What does it mean to abide?

    The NIV translation puts it like this, “Remain in me.” The Message version says, “Live in me.” The word “abide” has other meanings as well. Those include accept, stay, wait, stay, dwell, be held, kept, and be present.

    “Abide” is a reminder for us to stay connected.

    One of the guys I was with at that Bible study painted the picture clearly. Truth be told, I don’t know a lot about vines. I do know about trees. In Minnesota, they’re everywhere I look. So, imagine a branch on a tree. Cut that branch off the tree and throw it on the ground. How long will it live once it’s laying on the ground, separated from the tree? How long will the leaves stay green before they wither and die?

    They may stay green for a while, but that will be short-lived. We all know what’s going to happen to that branch.

    The branch needs to be connected to the tree to live. That tree, or the vine, provides everything the branch needs to live. Create a cut that separates the branch from the vine, and the branch will quickly die. It cannot live without the vine. The vine is the source of all the nutrients and energy the branch needs to survive and produce fruit. Even a small cut between the branch and the vine will weaken the branch and open the door for disease to creep in.

    The branch is entirely dependent on the vine. It has to abide. It has to maintain its connection.

    The branch has to understand that it is 100% dependent on its connection to the vine.

    That, my friends, is where I fall short every day. Yes, I believe that Jesus is the vine and that He is the source of everything I need in this life. Yes, my ability to produce fruit is dependent on staying connected with Him.

    At the same time, I battle with pride and my desire to control my output. When I need something, I am more apt to lean into my “make it happen” mindset. I am tempted every day to control my output and provide for myself rather than trusting in the vine to provide all that I need. The lie is always there. “You’ve got this. You don’t need the vine.”

    It’s easy to forget to abide.

    Since that Bible study, here are three questions I’ve been asking myself:

    1. Do I believe that the vine has everything I need?
    2. Can I produce fruit if I am disconnected from the vine?
    3. If the vine has everything I need and I cannot produce fruit apart from it, what am I doing to protect my connection to the vine?

    I would challenge each of you to ask yourself these same questions.

    Think about that branch and the tree again. The branch never forgets that it is connected to the tree. It never looks for ways to separate itself from the tree. The branch knows its growth and life are tied to the tree and does everything it can to maintain that connection.

    Brothers, we are branches, not vines. Remember that, and then do everything you can to stay connected to the vine. Do everything you can to abide.

    Jesus has all you need. “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”

    CBMC Webmaster

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  • Taking On The Struggle to Eliminate “Busy” In Our Lives

    Taking On The Struggle to Eliminate “Busy” In Our Lives

    “Busy.”

    Ask most of the guys you know how their week is going, and that’s the answer you’ll get.

    It’s an all too common response that many of us wear like a badge of honor. So many things that need to get done, to-do lists that stretch on forever, and the feeling of getting pulled in multiple directions at once. Men are trying to show up well at work, be good husbands and fathers, stay checked in on their older parents and extended family, serve in their churches and communities, and grow their relationship with the Lord.

    All good things… but you can’t do everything.

    Therein lies the problem for most men, myself included.

    In his book Intimacy with the Almighty, Charles Swindoll captures it like this. “Most of us say yes to too many things. Most of us do not plan well enough ahead or think through our schedules to leave time for leisure and rest. Most of us have too many things on our plate to get done in the allotted time.”

    Sound familiar?

    As I explored this chapter on simplicity, Swindoll must have been hanging out in my office and my home before he wrote this. Those words capture how I’ve lived much of my life. Simplicity has never been my natural state. I’ve kept myself busy, always convinced I was doing “good things.”

    Swindoll goes on, asking the following questions:

    1. Are the good things keeping you from the great?
    2. Are too many things draining your energy, leaving you exhausted?
    3. Are the activities outside your home stealing time from those within your home?

    “Yes, yes, and yes.” Each question reminds us that “busy” comes at a cost.

    The greatest cost for me personally has been my relationship with God. When things get busy, my morning quiet time with the Lord is the first thing to go. I find myself lacking time to pray and get quiet to listen to what God has for me. In essence, I am shutting God out.

    Busy becomes an idol. My need to be busy reflects my struggle to control my outcomes and “make things happen.” Simplicity, on the other hand, makes room for God to come in. It’s me releasing my control and letting God partner with me.

    When I do this, my answers to Swindoll’s questions change…

    1. I am experiencing God’s best, what is truly great, not just good.
    2. I am living my life on purpose, energized by the right things.
    3. I am focusing my energy on those within my home first.

    More importantly, I am taking back my time and energy to spend it with God. Making quiet time and prayer a priority, my relationship with God begins growing again. When I listen, I can hear Him speaking to me. Wisdom flows, and I experience more clarity around what is truly important instead of the “busy” things that so easily distract me.

    Intimacy with the Almighty begins with creating space for simplicity in your life. That’s my call to each of us today. Spend some time looking around and doing a personal assessment. Where is “busy” stealing from you, and how can you start to take some of that time and energy back?

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

    CBMC Webmaster

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  • Do Not Be Anxious About Anything

    Do Not Be Anxious About Anything

    As men try to be better husbands, strong dads, leaders where we work, and contributors in our communities, there are so many open doors for anxiety to creep in. From career pressures and financial stresses to relationship struggles and trying to be “enough” in all our roles, feeling anxious, stressed out, and overwhelmed is more common than any of us talk about – which is likely why God gave us the verses below. He knew what we’d encounter in this life. The world offers us many ways to release our stress. Here is God’s alternative…

    “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

    –       Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

    Going through a challenge recently, I spent some time peeling these verses back section by section…

    “Do not be anxious about anything,”

    The verse starts with a call to release our fears and concerns, the things that weigh heavy on our hearts, to God. This includes the things we’re afraid of, our concerns, restlessness, and the things that keep us up at night or wake us up early in the morning. If you’re anything like me, a recovering control freak to my core, letting the anxieties go is a challenge. If I’m not anxious about these things in my life, who will be and how will they ever change? We’ve been tricked into believing that staying anxious will somehow “fix” the things we’re anxious over. It does the opposite, and is one of the lies the devil uses to keep us distracted.

    “but in every situation,”

    This next section is interesting. We’re not called to release our anxiety in some areas but hold onto it in others. Instead, the word “every” implies that letting go of our anxiety totally and completely is commanded in all areas of our lives. These “situations” come in many forms, from things going on professionally to raising our kids and leading our families… In each form, without exceptions, we are called by a Father who loves us to let go.

    “by prayer and petition,”

    How do we let go? Through prayer and petition. God doesn’t leave us hanging here, not knowing what to do next. He tells us clearly to pray. Often, this is the last place we go, our last resort instead of the first. Instead of lifting our challenges up to Him, we lift them up to ourselves and stand in one place, holding them or trying to fix them on our own. Come to the Father and let him know where you’re at. Communicate your fears and anxiety to Him, and share with him what’s on your heart. He already knows but is waiting patiently for you to include him in your life.

    “with thanksgiving,”

    Over my life, I have come to realize that gratitude is an essential element of a fulfilled life and a powerful part of my Christian walk. When I stop long enough to think about all the things God has already done for me, especially amid a challenge or something I am anxious about, I am reminded of all the times and ways God has already come through for me.

    “present your requests to God.”

    We are prompted here to ask God for what we need, especially in times of distress or challenges. He tells us to pray and ask for the things we need for ourselves and the people around us. We sometimes find ourselves worried that God is too busy to hear what we need or that He’s going to reject our asking because we haven’t invested much time connecting with Him. At the same time, we can feel like our need is too insignificant and that God only has the time and energy to address the big stuff. None of those concerns are true. We have a Father who wants to hear from us, is not bound to limited time and energy, and wants us to ask for His help.

    “And the peace of God,”

    This is where the tables begin to turn. When we pray, present our requests to God, and meet Him with thanksgiving, we are promised that we will experience the peace of God. What kind of peace is this? Keep reading…

    “which transcends all understanding,”

    It’s a peace so great that you won’t be able to express it or understand it. It exceeds anything you could compare it to. It’s an over-the-top peace that the rest of the world lacks and that we often miss out on because we’re so focused on fixing things on our own. But, when we give up the things that make us anxious and hand them over to God, the freedom and calm we experience will allow us to walk through any fire without fear or restlessness.

    “will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

    That peace that transcends understanding is a powerful force – a guardian for our hearts and minds. The Word tells us that the devils prowl about, looking to steal, kill, and destroy. Knowing we are protected, we can stand in confidence. When pressure and anxiety rise, God comes to put them down, protecting both heart and mind.

    …

    “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

    It’s my hope that these verses are a source of peace and strength for you, the same as they’ve been for me. This life comes with challenges, and there are opportunities every day to elevate our anxiety, putting it on a pedestal. Instead, when those opportunities show up, lean into this word for your life and put God on the pedestal.

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

    CBMC Webmaster

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  • 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

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  • The Two Sides of the Operation Timothy

    The Two Sides of the Operation Timothy

    Many of you are familiar with Operation Timothy, CBMC’s discipleship Bible study. The study was designed to equip men to live out Matthew 28:19, in which the Word tells us to “go into all the world and make disciples.” Disciple-making is an essential part of our Christian walk, and just as Paul led Timothy in Acts, we are called to mentor and guide one another.

    The example Paul sets forth for us is powerful. In Acts 16, Paul meets Timothy, a young believer with a solid reputation among the people. Paul sees Timothy’s potential as a leader, and we watch as Paul mentors Timothy. They spend time together and live life with one another. Eventually, over years of investing into his life, Timothy is ready to lead and disciple on his own. 

    We get some insight into this disciple-making process within 2 Timothy. Paul writes to Timothy from his Roman prison cell just before his death. These are some of his last words to the young man he mentored for so long…

    “Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.”

    – 2 Tim. 1:13-14

    “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”

    – 2 Tim. 2:2

    In those two verses, we see the two sides of the Operation Timothy coin. First, we see Paul stepping into the mentor role, guiding Timothy by his example and teaching him during their time together. Second, we see Timothy in the role of a young believer who is hungry to learn more and grow in his faith. In the verses above, Paul reminds Timothy of the lessons he has been taught and tells him it is his turn to share those lessons with others.

    Fast-forward to today and this same relationship between Paul and Timothy is available to us now. Not only is it available, but we are called to it as a way of acting out the faith we believe in. Operation Timothy was designed to guide this process.

    For today’s Paul…

    “I want to leave a legacy, and do something with some purpose and meaning.” There comes a time in our lives when we feel led to step into our true calling: to be disciple-makers and have conversations that lead people to Christ. Many of us have felt this nudge – and at the same time, felt like we weren’t equipped for that mission.

    Operation Timothy changes that, removing the barriers often associated with discipleship, from not knowing where to start to feeling like life is too busy. Intuitive, easy-to-use, and mobile-friendly, Operation Timothy provides a roadmap to discipleship, equipping users to have Biblical conversations, grow together, and connect through life-on-life relationships. Meaning and purpose become real, and the path to creating a legacy that matters becomes clear.

    For today’s Timothy…

    As a new believer, the Bible can be intimidating. “What is this, where do I start, and who can help me?” Alone, spiritual growth can be slow and sometimes overwhelming amid the challenges of life. A new marriage, young kids, a career… trying to do it all, AND growing in your faith by yourself can feel like too much.

    Operation Timothy is a game-changer for new believers. Instead of navigating the journey alone, Advance offers a space for life-on-life discipleship. Here, two or more believers can come together, supporting and challenging each other to grow in their faith. It’s a place to find answers to questions, receive encouragement, and gain direction for life from experienced believers. Together, we can advance discipleship for all.

    Now Available! CBMC Advance

    We are thrilled to announce the launch of CBMC Advance, a space where Operation Timothy comes to life – even in the palm of your hand! Over the last year, we’ve invested time, energy, and resources into developing a new and improved version of our Marketplace Ambassador Advancement System.

    CBMC Advance, as this new platform is known, is a mobile-friendly, easy-to-use digital application designed to simplify life-on-life discipleship and exploring faith together. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” CBMC Advance makes living out this Biblical command easy and accessible, equipping individuals for disciple-making, spiritual growth, and relationship-building.

    CBMC Advance delivers:

    • A streamlined, modern, and mobile-first user experience
    • New and enhanced features to promote discipleship
    • Additional resources, sermons, and studies
    • All your current answers, connections, bookmarks, and notes are migrated

    Begin exploring CBMC Advance today… Start here!

    CBMC Webmaster

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  • When the Father Invites You Into Sonship

    When the Father Invites You Into Sonship

    Years ago, sitting at a small Bible study with a group of four other men, an older pastor joined us. As young husbands and fathers, he mentored us on the road ahead for us. There would be valley moments and times when we would stand at the top of the mountain. The path we were on would come with many ups and downs. Years later, I can tell you that what he foreshadowed for us was accurate and true.

    There’s one thing that stands out from that conversation more than anything else, and it is this. “Remember, guys, that you are the adopted sons of God. Your Father loves and cares for you and your family like no other. You belong to Him and His family, and He will provide everything you need for this journey. You have sonship.

    Matthew 5:9 calls us sons…

    Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

    Romans 8:15 speaks to our adoption…

    For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

    When we call on the name of Jesus for our salvation, we receive this sonship. The challenge, then, is whether or not we accept that sonship.

    When we stand in the role of a son, we immediately connect that back to our experiences with our earthly fathers. I’ve sat in enough men’s Bible studies now to know that our experiences with our dads have all been very different. Some of us had amazing Christian fathers who led by example, loved our mothers, and showed us regularly how much they loved us. Others had fathers who were abusive, harsh, and unloving – or they were busy, focused on work, and disconnected from our families.

    When we base our understanding of sonship on our relationship with our dads, it can create barriers to receiving God’s love as a man. My experience mirrors this as I tried to understand God’s love through my dad. My father was a good man who loved me, but rarely said or expressed it. I knew he loved me but rarely heard it, and he definitely held back his expression of that love as I grew up and became a man. As a business owner and someone very involved in our community, he often felt too busy for me. Based on that experience, I thought God must love me as a son in that same way.

    I didn’t grasp this concept of sonship until I had my own kids. Something clicked for me the moment I held my twins for the first time. Looking into their eyes, I knew there was nothing I wouldn’t do for them and that I’d hold nothing back from them without a good reason. I’d sacrifice for them, provide for them, and if called to, I’d die for them. They are my children, and I am their father… Like I am God’s child, and He is my Father.

    Seeing fatherhood through my own children, the concept of sonship became very clear… I began to see God, my Father, through a different lens. His love for me became obvious, and I realized that He wanted me to come to him with my challenges and struggles, successes and failures… all of it. Just like I found myself waiting for my kids to come to me, He was waiting for me to come to Him.

    That’s sonship, and having opened myself up to that relationship with my heavenly Father, my life has changed. Even as I write this today, I find myself thankful for that moment so many years ago when this concept of sonship was shared with me… and I’m even more grateful for a Father who loves me that much.

    Today, step into your role as a son. Accepting Christ, you’ve been adopted. Now, let God show you how much your heavenly Father loves you.

    …

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

    CBMC Webmaster

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