Principles of Godly Manhood

Principles of Godly Manhood

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By Ryan M. Marks

Reputation

   Popularity isn’t important, how God views you is. Don’t place your value and worth in how others view you, place your worth in how God sees you. Who you fear you serve, so don’t fear people and seek their approval; serve and fear God.

Deut. 6:13,10:20 Josh 24:14 Prov. 9:10 Ps 111:10 Ecc. 12:12-14

 

Seek Wisdom

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! Prov 16:16 (KJV)

Prov.1:1-9,8:11,9:10,16:16 Ps 111:10 Ecc. 9:16-18

Buy Truth, Wisdom, Instruction (learning), and Understanding

  Today, there is a battle for truth, foolishness abounds, people brush learning to the side, and understanding and even common sense are seldom seen.

Prov. 23:23

 

Don’t Follow your Heart

Ecc. 11:7-10  Jer. 17:9  Prov 4:23

 

A Good Name

   What do people think of when they hear your name? Can you look people in the eye and give a firm handshake?

"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." Prov 22:1 (KJV)

  Do you understand the implications of this verse?! A GOOD NAME is better than silver and gold! It is better to have a godly reputation (like Daniel or Joseph) than to have great riches. Our culture has this backward. They view the supreme object of value to be obtaining the easy life with riches (Luke 12:15-21)

Hate Evil

Prov 8:13 Matt. 21:12 Ex 18:21

 

Work: 

Working Hard    Prov 14:23, 21:5 Ecc 9:10 Col 3:23-24

Created for Work Gen 2:15  Ex 18:20   1 Tim 5:8

Dominion Gen 1:26-30

 

Your Wife—your Helper, your Companion is a Gift from the Lord—so pray for her

Gen 2:18,21-25 Prov 19:14, 31:10-31, Titus 2:3-5, 1 Tim 2:9-15

 

Be Honest, Trustworthy, Faithful, Dependable, Humble & Punctual

Prov 12:27

Be honest: Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor (Eph. 4:25).

Do what is just and merciful: And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God (Mic. 6:8).

Accept responsibility for your actions and admit your wrongs: First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly enough to remove the speck from your brother’s eye (Matt. 7:5).

Keep your word: Simply let your “yes” be “yes,” and your “no” be “no” (Matt. 5:37).

Be concerned about the interests of others: Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others (Phil. 2:4).

Listen carefully to what others say: He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame (Prov. 18:13).

Overlook minor offenses: A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense (Prov. 19:11).

Confront others constructively: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Eph. 4:29).

Be open to forgiveness and reconciliation: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Eph. 4:32).

Change harmful attitudes and behavior: He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy (Prov. 28:13).

Make restitution for any damage you have caused: If a man uncovers a pit or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit must pay for the loss (Ex. 21:33-34).

 

Appoint the Right Men: Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens (Ex 18:21)

 

Oppose Evil by Standing Firm

Eph 6:10-17, Daniel 1,3,6 Gen 39

 

Oppose Evil with Good

Matt 5:38-48 

 

Conversation.

   When I was young, I was a gossip and frequently shared laughs over dirty jokes with my friends. The Holy Spirit pricked my conscience and reminded me that what I was doing is not Christlike. I know you are under many pressures, guys. Hormones rage (trust me I’ve been your age not so long ago) and the thrill of talking about so and so’s relationship and such and such physical jokes produce such an emotional high that is addictive.

    But, guys, what about our future wives one day? Will you be able to look her in the eye and tell her how you lived as a young man? And what about the Lord’s heart that we break as we talk about the things done in darkness that He tells us not to discuss (Eph 5:12)? It is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. Eph 5:12 (KJV).

       I pray that you will all be raised up by the Lord to be Faithful Men in this country and our perverse generation. I pray that you will love your wives with a Christlike and passionate love that you have for no other; but guys, talking about sex in the locker room simply cheapens the intimacy you have with and the value you will place in the companionship of your wife in the future. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you 2 Cor 6:17 (KJV)

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Psalms 119:9 (KJV)

   God wants your relationship with Him to be vibrant and full of life. Think of the intimacy with God the prophets had, Jesus Christ had with the Father, the Early Church had with the Holy Spirit, and Adam and Eve had with God. What you watch, listen to, and say affects your heart in tremendous measure. I’m not saying it will be easy. Medical science says that the high men get when looking at porn and discussing sexual content is more addictive than heroine. But guys, there is REAL LIFE. What feels good is actually not always good for you (Heb 11:25). God has given you intense sexual desire because He created you that way. It is right and proper for you to have that passion for your wife. But until marriage, God expects you not only to abstain in your physical body, but your spirit—because if your heart is corrupt, your whole body is in darkness (Matt 6:19-23). God will give you the strength to guard your minds if you depend on Him!

1 Cor 10:12-14   Phil 4:6-7   Phil 4:8-9  Lev 10:3

 

Focusing on the Mark Ministries

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2013 © Ryan M Marks

God’s Word

God’s Word

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6 KJV

 

  Let that Scripture sink in. . . . God’s Word is pure! He is a SHIELD unto them that put their TRUST in Him! Add not unto His Words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar!!

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Prideful Promotions

 

“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.  But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.”

 Psalm 75:6-10 KJV

 

       Don’t spend your energies trying to exalt yourself. Proverbs 29:23 says, “man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit (KJV).” God’s way to honor is humility, but the World’s way to success is promote yourself, sell yourself, DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO GET FAME AND A NAME FOR YOURSELF! God’s way to honor flies right in the face of that hollow philosophy: Be humble, the Lord is the Judge; He Rules and He Reigns over all! Trust in Him, humble yourself, do your best and faithfully follow the Lord in little and in abundance and let God take care of promoting you.

 

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It’s better to do the Hard Stuff

It’s better to do the Hard Stuff

“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.”

Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 (KJV)

     This Scripture presents a mindset that is a polar opposite of what we often hear in America. We hear the message of just live and enjoy life! Smile more and don’t think too hard. The Word declares a different message right here, though. Read the verses above again slowly.

“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting.” That Scripture has impacted me big time as a young Christian man. I have seen two applications which I’d like to share with you. 1) Is it really better to just feast on life or to consider and contemplate some of its hardships like death. If death comes so quickly, how should I live my life? Should I really just not stress about the small stuff, or is the small stuff what determines whether I’ll ever make it to the big stuff (faithfulness principle, Luke 16:10)? While almost everyone young seems to cheer, “just have fun and experience life!” think about your actions. Look at what Ecclesiastes 11:9, 12:1(KJV) say:

  “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. . . . Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them”

  2) Going to a funeral may actually be for your benefit. Preachers know that at a funeral many more people are open to Christ that may be very stubborn at other times; the reason is because the people are considering death and its reality right then. Eternity seems much closer.

   Another point on funerals: even as a Christian, I was impacted by going to a couple of funerals. This verse was in my mind around those times and the tragedies that had occurred also brought many to the side of the family and the sharing of the impact that the deceased had made on other’s lives. I was speechless and struck to the heart—life is so fleeting and next to accepting Christ, reaching and touching others lives with Him is very important.

   What we have looked at today is probably not the most encouraging, but it is the Word. Let’s pray:

      Lord Jesus, may You speak to us by Your Holy Spirit who You said will lead us into all truth (John 16:13) and give us insight into what we should do with what we have read. Lord, may every heart be receptive and moldable to Your small, still voice speaking to them. In Jesus Christ’s Mighty Name, may these things be done. Amen.

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The Spirit of God knows which way to go. . . .will you trust him?

The Spirit of God knows which way to go. . . .will you trust him?

“Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”

Isaiah 48:17 (KJV)

 

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Who are You?

Who are You?

“Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord.”

Psalms 101:6-8 (KJV)

     

What is the condition of your heart?

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Christ the Messiah—God Still has a Plan!

Christ the Messiah—God Still has a Plan!

 

 T he days were bleak and hopeless. People didn’t know where to turn for hope and salvation. Then Jesus came.

   In the midst of life’s most trying circumstances we don’t have to cower down, but can turn to our hope—the Messiah. As we enter this Christmas season let’s remember that the Lord sent Jesus to be the Messiah, the Savior, the King of this world. In the midst of one of the darkest moments of Israel’s history, the Lord sent a ray of hope; but it took thirty years before that hope was launched into ministry (and that only lasted for some extraordinary three and a half years).

  We are in a similar situation. The economy and country seem bleak and hopeless, yet God is offering a ray of hope: He still has a plan. Though times may get tougher, God will take care of His own (Matt. 6:33).

  Dark times seem to be upon on us, but technology and the times have opened up mission fields that never existed before. We have the capability to make a big impact if it is the Lord’s will. For this upcoming year get some goals together as you seek the Holy Spirit— your Counselor and Guide—asking Him to reveal what He wants you to do this year, what He has called and anointed you to do. When He responds, trust Him and let peace be the umpire.

Generosity

Generosity

 “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.”

Proverbs 11:24- 25 (NKJV)

  Read those verses again slowly.

  The man who gives freely, gains even more. The one that withholds unduly, well, he comes to poverty. This proverb is not just talking about money; in reality it is talking about how you live. If you are a generous man or woman and give freely allowing your time, talents and resources (contacts, money, machinery, etc…) to flow freely through you, you will gain a blessing. You will experience an abundant life. One of joy, hope, expectation and excitement (passion): The joy of what the Lord is doing will be your energy, your strength.

   I think we’ve all been there at one point in our walk. I can recall times when everything I freely gave to people, largely in the form of my time and ability, was flooding back to me in excitement, energy, great deals, spiritual blessings, contentment, passion, and personal growth. However, many think of this proverb as being related to money, but I heard a great illustration about money one time. A man said that “money is simply like a brick.” I can build something useful to the Lord, by yielding the bricks to Him or I can take them and use them solely for myself. God is interested in you and your lifestyle, way more than just the money you have; He wants all of us: our time, our focus, our resources, and our very lives to be at His disposal. But here’s the catch, He only wants us to do it willingly. God wants us to choose to freely flow in Him by being generous.

  Those who so do will reap a blessing.

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

 

 Lord, may we understand generosity.

 

 

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Exploitation and the Danger Associated with Debt

Exploitation and the Danger Associated with Debt

 

    Read Proverbs 22:22-27 and consider the Lord’s truth on these matters. He’s right in all that He says, but you may be wrong or have been taught a doctrine of men that is false. Take the time to really examine this passage and act on what you learn.

 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23 For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. 24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: 25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. 26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. 27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

Proverbs 22:22-27 (KJV)

 

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Counsel

Counsel

Read Proverbs 22:17-21 and consider them thoughtfully.

 

Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

Proverbs 22:17-21 (KJV)

Habits

Habits

 

    At my GMA ceremony in high school a man preached a devotion on character and its relationship to habits. It is true that our character is formed by our habits. For example, if I always lie when my Mother asks me why I didn’t take out the trash, it will in turn create a bad character habit of lying when I want to “get out of” a tough situation. Likewise, if I invest time each day in mental, physical, and spiritual exercise I reap the rewards of clarity of mind, extra energy to get through my day, and spiritual peace.

 

    Your habits are important. Take a moment to consider what habits you need to get rid of or maybe some that you need to form.

 

Lord, give us the desire to form habits that will build the life that You desire us to have. Amen.

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The power of teamwork

The power of teamwork

   What if 12 men, each having two 2X4 boards and four nails, came together to create something? They could frame a small building. It is the same way with the Lord. Paul uses the illustration that we are God’s building (Read 1 Corinthians 3). When we unite together for the sake of our Faith in Christ, we can do amazing things for the Kingdom. One man with two 2X4’s and four nails probably won’t be able to build very much, but when they come together—WOW!

·        Pause and think about the power of teamwork with other Christians. Unity is important.

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A Hard Lesson

A Hard Lesson

“When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.”

Proverbs 11:2 (NKJV)

 

      Have you ever gotten prideful? I would be willing to bet that you have. When I have fallen into pride, one characteristic is sure to come about. It is the disgrace, the shame of having said something I regret—I was being prideful and what I said damaged my reputation with somebody. That is where I do not want to stay, and regret my actions.

        But I have found something else as well. When I operate in humility, then comes wisdom. I’m open to hear the Holy Spirit’s voice through others, able to discern the spirits and see which is of God. But this only occurs when I’m in humility, when I’ve gotten cocky or began to be secretly puffed with pride: having self-confidence and self-exaltation, then comes my disgrace. I cannot walk in fellowship with God and my own pride. I must be humble. I must Fear God and understand my proper place—for that is where wisdom lies; not in focusing on myself, but on Him.

  Dear God, give me a humble spirit. Teach me Your ways, Your wonders, and Your majesty. And, Lord, please show me just a glimpse of how small I really am compared to Your plan. Let that revelation help me to remain in a humble state of spirit. In Jesus name, amen.

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Do you love discipline?

Do you love discipline?

 

“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”  

 Proverbs 12:1 (KJV)

 

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”

Proverbs 12:1 (ESV)

 

   This is a hard verse to stomach, but it is truth and Scripture promises elsewhere that the truth will set us free.

   Do you love discipline? Do you love what it produces in your life? I do. I love having a disciplined day and learning how to be productive. But that doesn’t mean that I am perfectly disciplined. However, I have learned through the correction of the Lord that it is truly stupid to hate correction in regards to discipline. Laying around all day and just “letting life happen” or “fate decide” produces horrible fruit: failure, discouragement, depression, loss of purpose and direction, and more. But when I heed the corrections of the Lord and listen to the rebukes of the Lord; when I follow the gentle, yet firm nudging of the Holy Spirit in my spirit, then comes growth. O how I love learning more about God and the Kingdom! His corrections are firm, but if I hate them, I miss out on so many blessings and the abundance that is produced from the faithfulness to continue loving discipline.

   Lord, may we all come to love Your discipline, for Your ways are perfect and all things You turn into good for we are those called according to Your purpose.

 

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Help Lord!

Help Lord!

“Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.”

Psalms 12:1-2 (NKJV)

 

       Are you that one person that remains godly and faithful while everyone else seems to slack off? You may ascertain your situation correctly, or you may not, but I can say this: there will be a time, for many of us, where like David we cry “Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak idly….!” If that is where you find yourself today, pray this with me:

  Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You as one feeling broken and abused: everyone seems to be living out wickedness around me! Lord, please give me strength. May I have the resolution to stand firm and remain (abide) in Your vine. Open my eyes to see Your hand in this situation. And, Lord, I thank You for Your peace which passes all understanding which the Scripture promises me I’ll have when I abide in You. Amen.

 

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The Source of My Strength

The Source of My Strength

“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.”

Psalm 31:1-5 (NKJV)

 

Pause and contemplate this verse—may The Holy Spirit speak to you.

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“….For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

“….For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

  Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language defines forsake as:

1.     To quit or leave entirely; to desert; to abandon; to depart from.

    Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. He is always there, waiting for us to come to Him and find rest and peace. Whenever a person backslides or completely falls away from the faith it is not the Lord’s fault, God does not forsake us: it is the person who forsakes the Lord. We have a free will, we have to surrender to the Lord to be used by Him; therefore, we can choose to take our will and walk away from Him in our own strength.

    The choice is yours, dear friend, Christ will never leave you or forsake you, but you can. Will you surrender to Him today? Will you consecrate yourself unto Him?

  Lord, O how often I have walked in my own strength; forsaking You and asking why You left me. Lord, You never left me….but I walked in my own strength. Lord, help me today to walk and live following You. I don’t want me, but You. Empower me by Your Spirit to live a life wholly consecrated to You. In Jesus Name, amen.

 

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