Daily Devotion for Men

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.

HonorBound Devotion: July 1, 2010

Read James 5:15 – And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

Is it okay to pray a prayer of faith for someone who has not himself come to faith? Absolutely! It is right to pray for the sick who have yet to know the Lord. If their health is restored and they see it as God working on behalf of your prayer, then they very well may believe. If they believe on the One who has healed them, they will be saved. The world needs to see our God as the Healer of their lives! Pray for the sick, and let God be responsible for the healings and the salvations!

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

HonorBound Devotion: June 30, 2010

Read James 5:15 – And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

God moves when faith is present. He is not moved by formality and organization. He does not seem to care about our pride and style. Come to Him in faith and you will get His attention. Faith will bring God right into the middle of your situation. So when you pray, be sure that you are praying in faith, believing for an answer.

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

HonorBound Devotion: June 29, 2010

Read James 5:14 – Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Is there a correct process in praying for the sick? I don't think there is a wrong way to call on God for healing. I think the important thing is that you call on God. You should also call on others to pray with you. If we are not careful, pride will cause us not to request prayer from others. Maybe calling on others and the oil application is as much humility in prayer as it is a procedure of prayer. The main thing is to call on God in your time of sickness.

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

HonorBound Devotion: June 28, 2010

Read 1 Chronicles 12:21-22 – And they helped David against the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army. For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of God.  (NKJV)

Fight Like a Man

David was still in the process of being established as the new king. Each day more men came to David to help him in his new role. They were referred to as “mighty men of valor.” There is something about that phrase that excites me. These men were coming together as a mighty force. Every Christian man has access to the two most powerful weapons in the world—prayer and God’s Word. Men, we can be a mighty force—a prayer force. Use the Word of God and pray.

– Cecil Culbreth serves as president of His Story Ministries, equipping the church to pray on behalf of students in America.

HonorBound Devotion: June 25, 2010

Read James 5:14 – Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

The request for prayer during sickness is not a sign of weakness in the believer. It is an opportunity for several things to happen. It is an opportunity for love to be expressed by others in their prayers. It is an opportunity for humility to be practiced on behalf of the sick believer. It is an opportunity for miracles to happen in the sick person’s life. It is also an opportunity for unbelievers to see God work through prayer, people and pain. Lastly, it is an opportunity for God to express His power, presence and love to His people.

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

HonorBound Devotion: June 24, 2010

Read James 5:13 – Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

It is okay to express outwardly what one is feeling inwardly. Too many times we are reserved where we should be expressive. If you are sad and hurting it will not shake the heavens if you let others know. Your witness will not be destroyed because you are honest about your feelings. Neither is it out of order for you to express happiness because of the blessings of the Lord in your life. The world needs to see people who are real and authentic. They need to see people who are blessed of the Lord and are not ashamed to express such. They need to see people who don't fall apart during difficulty. God's grace seen through your life is the best way for men to experience God's love!

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

HonorBound Devotion: June 23, 2010

Read James 5:12 – Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.

We should never make promises that are beyond our ability to keep. It is okay to say you will give it your best effort or that you will do something if the Lord wills you to do so. We never know what a new day is going to bring. Only God is eternal and never changes. We, on the other hand, change and our circumstances change every day. Only commit “yes” and “no” to those things that are within your power to affirm.

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

HonorBound Devotion: June 22, 2010

Read James 5:11 – As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy! Wow, how glad we should be that those attributes describe our Lord. We would be consumed if it was not for the Lord's mercy to us. In our deepest and most desperate trials He is there to love and protect us. In some situations it is only the Lord that can save us. He not only can save us in our time of trouble, He wants to save us. Call on the name of the Lord and He will answer you. Trust in the Lord and you will find Him to be trustworthy!

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

HonorBound Devotion: June 21, 2010

Read 1 Chronicles 12:18 – Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the captains, and he said:

"We are yours, O David;

We are on your side, O son of Jesse!

Peace, peace to you,

And peace to your helpers!

For your God helps you.”  (NKJV)

Fight Like a Man

This was a time of transition.  Saul was dead.  David was to be king.  It was evident to these fighting men that God’s hand and anointing was upon David’s life and ministry.  These men committed themselves to their leader “we are yours…we are on your side.”

What if men demonstrated this same attitude towards their pastor and started fighting in prayer on behalf of the pastor and the church?  Join the fight, the fight that takes place on your knees.  The greatest victories are won by those who “fight” in prayer.

– Cecil Culbreth serves as president of His Story Ministries, equipping the church to pray on behalf of students in America.

HonorBound Devotion: June 18, 2010

Read James 5:11 – As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

We all need heroes in life. Real heroes are those who come up strong and persistent in trials and live life to the fullest. The scriptures are full of those people we should and could model our lives after. Has there ever been a more powerful example for us than Job? He gained great wealth, influence, power and happiness and lost it all almost instantly. He lost his wealth, children, fortune and the ability to trust the advice of his wife but never his confidence in God. He is to us an example of knowing that the game of life is not over and how to live when the chips are down. His convictions always kept his faith intact even when there were days and moments of doubt.

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

HonorBound Devotion: June 17, 2010

Read James 5:10 – Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Sometimes the best way to learn something is to watch others and take note of how they respond in similar situations. The Bible is full of godly examples of people who responded both well and not so well to the tests of life. Study them and you can learn both what you should and should not do. Suffering is not pleasant, but it does produce in us the fruit of righteousness.

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