E-MAIL FROM GOD FOR MEN

A TRUTHFUL HEART

A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

What you say matters. It is so easy to fall into the trap of exaggeration or flattery or flat-out lying. Though dishonesty can sometimes get you what you want or help you avoid what you don't want, steer clear of it. Though others may tell "little white lies" and get away with them, want you to be a man of absolute truth.

Why is honesty so important? It's not because I'm trying to make you into a prideful goody-goody. It's because want to develop you into a man of character. want you to experience the freedom that comes from shooting straight. I want you to be delivered from the insecurity that makes you exaggerate things to make yourself appear better than you are.

Honesty is a matter of the heart. Give me your heart, and together let's set honesty as our goal.

ASK ME FOR WHAT YOU WANT

You do not have because you do not ask.

Ask me for what you want. If you need direction, ask me. If you need knowledge, will give it to you. If you need the freedom to be creative, I am the most creative being in existence.

Don't be afraid to ask me for anything. Don't assume that I will laugh at you or put you off. Sometimes you don't have the things you need because you simply don't ask. Don't doubt my love for you. Because ! love you, I will give you only things that will bless you.

I'm not necessarily talking about your asking me for a million dollars or a fancy luxury car. You don't even know whether those things would be blessings or curses in your life. know what you need, and I will provide all of your needs. That's a promise.

BE STILL

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Be still and know that I am God. Seek stillness and calmness as other men seek money or power.

People move at such a frantic speed. If something isn't ready in under a minute, they ask, "Why is it taking so long?" This busy existence is the killer of the spiritual man.

Instant gratification is the mantra of the modem world. Sadly, it is also becoming a mantra which is chanted in the church. Some people want a spiritual drive-up window attached to my house.

Stillness is the life of the spiritual man. Calmness is a countercultural lifestyle in the midst of all the motion. When you sit still and know my reality, I give you clarity to see the lie of the fast and furious. Come into my presence. Take time to know me, to hear me, and to become who I am calling you to be.

BRING IT TO THE TOMB

We were therefore buried with Him through Baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Whatever you take into the tomb and lay down next to Jesus is dead. More than that, it is resurrected into a new identity and set in order in the new you.

But whatever you refuse to take into the tomb and lay down with Jesus has not died in you, and it continues to have a stake in your life.

If you want to be a totally new creation, bring everything to the tomb. Bring it through prayer and repentance and lay it down next to Jesus. Let the old man die with him through his sacrifice.

Then let him raise you to new life with him. Be totally redeemed in the light of his resurrection. Bring everything to the tomb and then pass through to new life.

COME HOME

So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.... The father said to his slaves, "Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet."

Whenever you come home to me, I don't make you beat the door down and beg to be a servant in my house. I run to meet you. I restore to you what you wasted. I throw a party in honor of your return.

Don't think that my love gives up on you when you choose to leave me. I am not a father who holds you at arm's length. Instead, I wait to have you close to me. I wait at the window, running shoes on, ready to rush out and welcome y you home.

You will always be my son, no matter what choices you make. My love is the robe that covers you. My grace is the ring I place on your finger. My acceptance is like a pair of magical shoes on your feet that always brings you home to me. Never hesitate. Come home.

CONVICTION IS NOT GUILT

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

There is a difference between the conviction that my Holy Spirit brings and the guilt that Satan brings or that you place on yourself. Conviction always leads you to repentance and makes you want to get right with me. It produces a positive result-a restored relationship with me. Guilt tells you, "You're no good. You can't ever be right with God." Guilt doesn't lead to repentance. It leads to moral dishonesty and low self-esteem, which lead away from me and into more guilt.

For those who are in my Son, Jesus Christ, there is always hope and a way out of the negative guilt cycle. When you sin, hear my Holy Spirit's call of true conviction. Repent honestly. Accept my forgiveness through Jesus, and allow him to move you onward and upward.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS AND MOVE ON

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

Lots of men are disappointed in the way their parents raised them. Some of them live their whole lives trying to undo childhood wrongs. Others spend their entire lives harboring bitterness toward their parents.

I am calling you to be a new creation. If you're still struggling with things your parents did wrong in raising you, here's what I suggest. First, make a list of everything that your parents did right and be grateful for them. Then make a list of all the things your parents did wrong. Take this list of wrongs and surrender it to me in prayer, or pray about it with a friend or pastor. Then burn the "wrong" list, and choose to move on. Even if you feel as if you never inherited a blessing from your parents, when you forgive them, you will inherit my blessing of being free from resentment and bitterness. Don't let your past rule your present or your future. I am making you a new creation.