Becoming the Man God's Future Requires

Good morning, sir!

Welcome to day twenty! Jesus called His disciples first and foremost “that they might be with Him.” (Mark 3:14)

And isn't that the heart of discipleship? Just hanging out with Jesus! Listening, asking, observing, walking with Him, and allowing His life to rub off on us!  That's why you're here today! Good job!

Let's pray together: Lord, I'm pausing for a few minutes just to be with You. Speak to my heart. Nourish me with Your daily bread. Christ in me is the hope of glory! Be glorified in my life today, Lord! Amen!

If I were to summarize our weekend's teaching, I would say:

Humility acknowledges our need for God.

Prayer expresses that dependence.

Gratitude acknowledges His faithfulness.

As we practice these things, we discover that we are being “transformed by the renewing of our mind.” (Romans 12:2)

But when we resist Him, self-sufficiency, prayerlessness, ingratitude, and independence begin to rise within us. In short, pride has made its home in our hearts!

And as Pastor Paul reminded us, pride can become a doorstop, holding the door wide open for other sins to enter and be justified!

I'm so glad Pastor Paul included Dean's testimony that weekend. What a sobering reminder that even extraordinary accomplishments and public recognition can become dangerous when pride convinces us we're invincible. And the consequences can devastate those we love most.

Just like Moses’ warning, Dean’s greatest danger wasn't his inability to succeed. It was his inability to remain humble in the midst of success.

True strength is found in the man who willingly allows the light of God's truth into his heart and then acts upon it!

Jesus said, “He who does the truth comes to the light.” (John 3:21)

The purpose of being with Jesus is not merely to know His truth, but to become the kind of man who lives it!

Let's close in prayer:

Lord, I need You! Remove the doorstop of pride from my heart! I humble myself and choose today to make myself dependent upon You. Following You is my delight! Walking in a manner worthy of You is true life! In Jesus' name, amen!