Daily Devotion for Men

HonorBound Devotion: July 29, 2010

Building Character

Read Genesis 2:2 – By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.

Know When to Work and When to Relax (Part 2) 

Go to work and give it all you’ve got while you are there! You can’t truly find pleasure by living on the golf course or at the beach. God made us to work to find happiness. Pleasure is fine in moderation but it is not the goal of life.

At the same time, you must know when to go to work and when to go home. Be able to work and rest at the right times in your life! The Lord gave us the example in Genesis 2. When the project was completed, He rested! When the week was completed, He rested. Before the next project was started, He rested!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 28, 2010

Building Character

Read Genesis 2:2 – By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.

Know When to Work and When to Relax (Part 1) 

We live in a very complex culture. But don’t worry, it is getting more so each day. We have so many tools with which to communicate, yet with all of these gadgets we feel more stressed and frustrated. Let me help you today! Take some time off! Turn off the smart phone! Shut down the e-book reader! Leave the laptop at the house and disconnect from it all! All of the technology you have that can make you more productive can also push you over the edge. Yes, it is ok to work hard and love your work! God made you that way. But the ax gets dull after so many days of constant swinging. You have to start swinging harder to get the same results. If you don’t stop and sharpen the ax either you or the ax is going to break!
 – David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 27, 2010

Building Character

Read Proverbs 12:1 – Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

Develop Self-Discipline

Men admire those who are disciplined. That is why we love sports so much. You don’t get to the top of your game sitting on the couch. Discipline is a necessity in every phase of life and business. If you cheat you will learn defeat!

None of us can be the best in everything we do, but all of us can be better at what we do. The wise man is the one who can discipline himself to be better at life and knows enough to accept his limitations. Oh yes, you have limitations! All of us have them, unfortunately. What is shameful is to excuse yourself from working hard, exercising, studying, or trying to be better because of those flaws. The question is do you have the courage to discipline yourself to become the person you could be?  If so, then give life your best shot! Then relax and let your life affect the world the way God meant for it to.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 26, 2010

Read 1 Chronicles 12: 31-32 – Of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were designated by name to come and make David king; of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command. (NKJV)

Fight Like a Man

The men of Issachar were men who understood the times and knew what to do. True warriors understand who the real enemy is and how to fight that enemy. As men who are fighting on behalf of our youth and children, we need to understand who the real enemy is and how to fight him. We need to keep up with what is happening in the lives of our kids. We need to understand the temptations they face. When we know what is happening to our kids we can be more specific in our prayers for them. Fight like a man by understanding the times.

– Cecil Culbreth serves as the Arkansas District Secretary and Missions Director.  He also leads Men’s Prayer Force in partnership with national Men’s Ministries.

HonorBound Devotion: July 23, 2010

Building Character

Read Joshua 24:14-16 – Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Then the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!

Recognize Your Choices and Live Wisely (Part 2)

The biggest question is what will you choose? Many consider not making a choice or a commitment to be the safe way to live. Not choosing is in itself a choice with the gravest dangers. The people that I know who are the happiest are the ones who have clearly weighed in on the side of Christ. Those who have not clearly chosen Him stand in two categories; those who deny Him and those who are in denial!

Where are you today in your walk of life? Do you know who you are serving? Why not take a few minutes today and choose something that really makes a difference?
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 22, 2010

Building Character

Read Joshua 24:14-16 – Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Then the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!

Recognize Your Choices and Live Wisely (Part 1)

Each of us was born into this world neither choosing to be born, nor choosing our parents. But since the time our brains began to reason in our adolescent years we have had choices to make. You and I can choose our life and its direction. Yes, there are a lot of things that come down our path over which we have no control. But nothing that comes into our lives can shape us if we don’t choose for it to do so. You can choose to allow other people’s rude behavior to either make you bitter or better. You can choose not to take the sexual advances offered to you. You can choose to serve the Lord and leave the world’s buffet table behind.
 – David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 21, 2010

Building Character

Read Philippians 4:11 – I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Identify Your Strengths, But Know Your Weaknesses (Part 3)

In what are you weak? It is those things that you fear the most! But you should not feed your fear; rather fight it with effort and faith in God! Your weakness could be something that you are drawn to that you should be avoiding. Find ways to guard yourself by not getting close to the edge. Stay in the middle of the road away from the cliff of temptation. Being a man of character is not to deny those fears or temptations. It is to face the truth about yourself and to build the safeguards in your life to protect you.
 – David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 20, 2010

Building Character

Read Philippians 4:11 – I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Identify Your Strengths, But Know Your Weaknesses (Part 2)

In what are you strong? It is in those things that come easy to you! The things that cause you to wonder why everyone else has difficulty doing those things. God gave you gifts and it is okay that you have them. Those same strengths are the things that God can use to build character in your life. It could also be the thing that the enemy uses to destroy your character. A man of character will not allow his strengths to blind him to his limits.
 – David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 19, 2010

Read 1 Chronicles 12:28-31 – Zadok, a young man, a valiant warrior, and from his father's house twenty-two captains; of the sons of Benjamin, relatives of Saul, three thousand (until then the greatest part of them had remained loyal to the house of Saul); of the sons of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men throughout their father's house; of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were designated by name to come and make David king.  (NKJV)

Fight Like A Man

These valiant, mighty warriors were men on a mission.  Their goal was to make David king.  They were ready to fight in order to accomplish that goal.  They understood that David had already been chosen and anointed by God to be the king of Israel.  Men today need the same drive and passion to see God work not only in their lives but in the lives of those around them.  Be a man on a mission.  The goal is to influence others, especially those younger than we are, to live for God.  Fight in prayer so that your mission can be accomplished.

– Cecil Culbreth serves as the Arkansas District Secretary and Missions Director.  He also leads Men’s Prayer Force in partnership with national Men’s Ministries.

HonorBound Devotion: July 16, 2010

Building Character

Read Philippians 4:11 – I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Identify Your Strengths, But Know Your Weaknesses (Part 1)

A man who is building character must come to terms with both his strengths and his weaknesses. Too often the strength of a man is usually the weakness of the man. How many men have fallen because their strength blinded them to the pitfalls around them? Paul said, “I have learned to be content in whatsoever state I am in.” This wasn’t to deny or ignore difficulties in his life. It was the calm acceptance of knowing who he was and who Christ was in Him!

– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 15, 2010

Building Character

Read Matthew 5:37 – Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
 

Be Honest and True to Your Word

The only thing that you have that is of real value is your name. Your name is what people know about you and believe about you. Your name is what will last when you are gone. If you are going to build character, you need to be true to your word. If you make a verbal commitment, follow through with that word. Sometimes that may mean you take a loss financially. At other times it may mean you attend a function that you really wish you didn’t have to attend. Each commitment kept is like a deposit in the bank. The more you invest, the larger your account will grow. When one begins to slip on his word it gets easier and easier to let it happen. You are the guardian of your word. If you want to build the character of a man of God, then keep your word and build your name by doing it!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 14, 2010

Building Character

Read Ezekiel 13:7 – Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, "The LORD declares," though I have not spoken?

Know Why You Do What You Do (Part 2)

Why do you go to church? Why do you pray? Why do you pray for healing? Why do you keep your word? Building character has to have clear understanding about the things you believe and practice. The world admires men who have convictions! But to have blind convictions is nothing admirable! Ask yourself the hard questions about what you believe and why you believe the things you profess. What has the Lord really said about that which you think and embrace? If you want to be a man that others can trust for strength and stability, then know why you do what you do!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 13, 2010

Building Character

Read Ezekiel 13:7 – Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, "The LORD declares," though I have not spoken?

Know Why You Do What You Do (Part 1)

When was the last time you really answered the hard questions your children asked you? Children deserve good answers from dads who know them. Sometimes through the years we come to accept the way things are and should be without any valid reason for the action. We have all had mores and moral traditions that seem to guide our steps. Only we find out later in life, that they were good for their day but were not biblical standards. Sadly, some have cast off some moral standards that are Biblical. Our nation is paying a price for that today.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 12, 2010

Read 1 Chronicles 12:24-25 – Of the sons of Judah bearing shield and spear, six thousand eight hundred armed for war; of the sons of Simeon, mighty men of valor fit for war, seven thousand one hundred. (NKJV)

Fight Like a Man

In the Monday Prayer Force devotionals we have been looking at the listing of the people that made up David’s army.  A few weeks ago we learned that the word “valor” speaks of force.  The author of this passage also refers to these men as “mighty men”.  That means they were intense and powerful.  These men had one purpose – to defeat those enemies of King David.  Men, let’s approach prayer the same way – intense, focused and not sidetracked by the unimportant things.  Fight in prayer like a “mighty man”.  As we know from Scripture, “The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

– Cecil Culbreth serves as the Arkansas District Secretary and Missions Director.  He also leads Men’s Prayer Force in partnership with national Men’s Ministries.

HonorBound Devotion: July 9, 2010

Building Character

Read Matthew 12:36 – But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

Take Responsibility (Part 2)

Have you ever made a choice that you wish you could change? Well, you can’t change yesterday’s choice but you can change the course! Don’t deny the mistake or ignore the consequence of the choice. Have you ever told an untruth that was so close to the truth that others would not know the difference? Sure you have, and so have I! The man who is building character in his life forces himself to correct his untruths before they become lies. As a man building character, we don’t need God to judge or measure us, because we are measuring ourselves by His standards that we have embraced as righteous.

– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 8, 2010

Building Character

Read Matthew 12:36 – But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

Take Responsibility (Part 1)

Building character means that one is going to be responsible for his own choices, actions and consequences. All of us have had the unfortunate circumstances of something going wrong when we did our best. We know the agony of a borrowed piece of equipment that breaks while in our possession or an item that was lost while in our care. We could deny that we lost or broke it if we wanted to be irresponsible. We could do a lot of things that might pass in others’ eyes but not God’s. The One that you want to think the most of you, knows the most about you!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 7, 2010

Building Character

Read Jonah 1:13-14 – Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. Then they cried to the LORD, "O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased."

Do It Even if It’s Difficult

Men, we have to set our mind that we are not going to quit because things get difficult. No great thing is ever accomplished by weak efforts. Building your character at times is very difficult. Body builders will push their body to the limits of their strength and then somehow push a little further. It is then that the muscles are stretched and caused to grow. For us, it is in those times that we feel we can go no further that we realize we need to depend on God. In those desperate times of difficulties you are growing into a man that trusts God and not yourself.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 6, 2010

Building Character

Read Luke 14:28-30 – Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'

Make a Plan!

You would never begin to build without a plan of how each worker adds to the project. It would be total chaos! The same is true with your character. To build character you have to be the contractor. You can have sub-contractors to come and help, but you have to lead the project.

We must all figure out what we want to be before we get to the end of the project. If you don’t have a plan, you may be doing the right thing at the wrong time. Like laying carpet before you build a floor. If you want to become a man of God then you have to put the right materials in the structure to make it happen. Why not sit down and count the cost? You will be proud of the results and so will those for whom you are building the man of God!

– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.

HonorBound Devotion: July 5, 2010

Read 1 Chronicles 12:23 – Now these were the numbers of the divisions that were equipped for war, and came to David at Hebron to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord. (NKJV)

Fight Like a Man

I am sure the equipment these men had would be considered crude and obsolete in comparison to the equipment a soldier would have in the army today.  However, they were equipped.  A competent military leader would never send the troops to battle without fighting equipment.  Even Gideon’s army had equipment.  Fortunately for us, God has provided equipment to do spiritual warfare.  God’s equipment will never go out of date.  Prayer allows us to carry on “modern” warfare with the enemy.  Go ahead and fight like a man – pray and intercede until God gives the victory.

– Cecil Culbreth serves as the Arkansas District Secretary and Missions Director.  He also leads Men’s Prayer Force in partnership with national Men’s Ministries.

HonorBound Devotion: July 2, 2010

Read James 5:16 – Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

How seriously do you want to be healed if you are sick? If you are willing to humble yourself to the point of confessing your sins, then healing could come. It is not the confession that is important as much as the humbling of your heart. I don't believe the Lord wants us to feel we have to confess our shortcomings in order to be healed. I believe what He is asking is for us to have a spirit of humility to confess that we do have weaknesses in our lives and we really need the Lord. Pride keeps us from admitting the truth about ourselves!

– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.