What Does It Mean to Be a Godly Man?
When you hear the phrase “a godly man,” what comes to mind? Maybe it’s someone strong, stoic, and independent—someone who never asks for help, never shows weakness, and always figures things out on his own. Culture tells us that a real man is a lone ranger who handles it all quietly and efficiently. But that image couldn’t be further from God’s design.

Even inside the church, we’ve sometimes absorbed that message. We assume that asking for help makes us less of a man, or that strength means going it alone. The truth is, godly manhood starts not with independence—but with surrender.

Rooted in the Right Place
Psalm 1 paints a simple but powerful picture: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked… but whose delight is in the law of the Lord… That person is like a tree planted by streams of water.” A godly man isn’t someone who stands tall because he’s strong, he stands tall because he’s rooted. When life’s storms hit, he doesn’t topple because his roots run deep in God’s Word and presence. The world tells men to be self-made. Scripture tells us to be God-shaped. That’s where strength begins.

Five Marks of a Godly Man

1. He Steps Up
A godly man takes responsibility instead of avoiding it. Like David in the Old Testament, he asks, “What would please the Lord?” before he acts. He leads with conviction and humility—not ego or fear.

2. He Speaks Up
In a world where it’s easier to stay quiet, a godly man isn’t afraid to speak truth with love. The Apostle Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation.” Speaking up doesn’t mean being loud or combative, it means standing for what’s right even when it’s unpopular. It means using your voice to defend the vulnerable, the poor, and the forgotten.

3. He Stands Up
1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” Too many men have fallen asleep spiritually. They are lulled into passivity while the world around them burns with confusion and pain. A godly man wakes up, stands up, and faces the battle with courage. But Paul adds one more command: “Do everything in love.” Without love, strength becomes bulldozing. With love, it becomes power under control.

4. He Stores Up
Proverbs reminds us that wise men manage what God has given them. A godly man uses his resources—time, finances, energy—with intention. He lives with margin so he can live generously. It’s not about hoarding or control; it’s about stewardship. When we handle God’s blessings His way, we discover freedom, not pressure.

5. He Serves Up
Culture says, “Get yours.” Jesus says, “Deny yourself.” The world glorifies climbing ladders and chasing success. But Jesus flipped the script: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.” True strength is found in service. True leadership begins at the feet of others.

The Real Strength of Surrender
At the end of the day, godly manhood isn’t about toughness. It is about tender obedience. It’s about yielding your life fully to Jesus Christ. A godly man recognizes that every good thing — his skills, his family, his calling — belongs to God first. That kind of surrender takes courage. It’s not passive, it’s powerful. It’s the kind of strength that changes families, churches, and communities.

So here’s the question:
Have you truly yielded your life to Jesus Christ? Not just the public parts, but the private ones too. Your goals. Your habits. Your pride. Your resources. Your time. Because when men surrender to Jesus, entire generations feel the impact.

Ever notice how the world seems confused about love and commitment?
We celebrate weddings with big fanfare, but years later, many couples feel like something’s missing. Some even wonder if marriage is outdated, or if it's just another tradition that doesn’t fit modern life. But God’s design for marriage isn’t about restriction; it’s about freedom. It’s a picture of love that gives, not just gets.  It's a reflection of His own relationship with us.

When Culture Gets It Wrong
Today’s messages about marriage are all over the place. Some say it’s unnecessary. Others say it’s just about being happy. Influencers preach independence, self-fulfillment, and “finding your soulmate,” as if the goal is to chase our own version of happiness. But that’s not how God designed it. Scripture reminds us that marriage is a gift meant to draw us closer.  Closer to Him and to each other. Studies even show that couples in healthy, long-term marriages report higher happiness and stability than any other relationship model. Marriage isn’t obsolete. It’s sacred, practical, and surprisingly good for us.

The Myths We Believe
There are a few big myths our culture pushes about marriage:

Myth 1: Marriage doesn’t matter.
Truth: Marriage provides stability, connection, and joy that surface-level relationships can’t replicate.

Myth 2: All you need is love and money.
Truth: Love and financial comfort can’t replace faith, commitment, and shared purpose.

Myth 3: You just need to find your soulmate.
Truth: Marriage isn’t about finding someone who completes you—it’s about learning to love someone selflessly. Happiness isn’t discovered; it’s built through grace and growth.

God’s design flips these ideas upside down. The goal isn’t to find someone who checks all the boxes. It’s to become someone who chooses love, service, and sacrifice...daily.

A Different Kind of Strength
In Ephesians 5, Paul says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
That verse often gets misunderstood. It doesn’t mean one person controls the other—it means both people willingly put each other first.
Picture two people at a doorway insisting on opening the door for each other. That’s the kind of mutual submission Paul describes is a back-and-forth of humility and honor that says, “I’ll serve you first.” Husbands are called to love their wives “as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” That’s not domination—it’s devotion. Jesus didn’t demand power; He demonstrated love. He washed His disciples’ feet. He gave His life. That’s the model for marriage: self-sacrificing love.

When 50/50 Doesn’t Work
We often say marriage is 50/50, but real life isn’t that neat. Some seasons are 80/20, when one person is struggling and the other carries more weight. Sometimes those roles reverse. Grace fills the gap. Marriage isn’t a contract of fairness, but a covenant of faithfulness. It’s saying, “Even when you can’t give your all, I’ll still choose to show up.” And that’s the beauty of it: it mirrors the way Jesus loves us. He gives 100%, even when we give nothing in return.

A Living Picture of Grace
Marriage, at its best, becomes a living example of God’s love for His people. It’s where patience is learned, forgiveness is practiced, and grace is multiplied. It’s not always easy—but it’s worth it. Whether you’re single, married, widowed, or preparing for marriage, you’re part of this bigger story. Godly marriages strengthen families, churches, and communities. They remind the world what love rooted in grace really looks like. If you’re married, pray together this week. If you’re single, pray for the marriages around you. Let’s build a culture where love looks less like transaction and more like transformation.
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Because we really are better together.

You know that feeling when two minutes feels like an eternity? You toss a frozen dinner in the microwave, watch the timer, and somehow think staring at it will make it finish faster. Or you click a website link and the little loading circle spins forever. It’s not really a long wait, but it sure feels like it.

That’s kind of how life feels lately. We rush, we multitask, we pile on expectations until our souls are buffering. We know time is short, yet we live like we have forever. Well, here's a truth that sounds simple but cuts deep: we can’t do it all...and that’s not bad news.

Rethinking Our Relationship with Time
Author Oliver Burkeman once calculated that the average lifespan equals about 4,000 weeks. Seeing all those dots on paper is sobering. We only get a finite number of Mondays, birthdays, and conversations. Our usual response? Do more, faster. But Burkeman says something freeing: “Let’s start by admitting defeat. None of this is ever going to happen… and that’s excellent news.”

That’s because the gospel doesn’t measure our worth by output. God never called us to be human doings—He called us to be human beings.

Embracing Limitations as a Gift
When life feels like a race to keep up, we start to believe our value depends on performance. Scripture tells a different story. In Genesis 3, God reminds humanity, “From dust you came and to dust you will return.” That’s not meant to discourage—it’s meant to center us.
Our limitations aren’t proof of weakness; they’re proof of design. They invite dependence.  Dependence on God and on each other. Culture preaches independence; Jesus modeled dependence. Even He said, “The Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees the Father doing.” When we admit we can’t do everything, we make space for the One who can.

The Real Meaning of Worship
Romans 12 paints the picture: “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice… this is your true and proper worship.”
Worship isn’t confined to music or Sundays. It’s the act of saying, “God, You’re complete, and I’m not.” Transformation starts in our minds before it shows up in our habits. Paul says, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The more our thoughts align with God’s truth, the freer we become from culture’s pressure to prove ourselves.

You Are a Work in Progress
We love quick results, but spiritual growth is more Crock Pot than microwave. God shapes us slowly through the Holy Spirit... season by season, year by year. The longer you follow Jesus, the more you realize transformation takes time. And that’s okay. You are a work in progress by the Holy Spirit, not a self-improvement project, but a divine masterpiece in the making.

Finding Balance: Lament and Gratitude
We talk a lot about finding “balance,” but perfect balance doesn’t exist in a broken world. The kind of balance Scripture invites us to hold is between lament and gratitude. Lament says, “God, things aren’t right, and I need You to move.” Gratitude says, “God, thank You for what’s good even while I wait.” Both are worship. Both keep us grounded when life feels like too much or not enough.

Dependence Is the New Strength
Jesus lived counter-culturally. While the world preached independence, He modeled dependence. He didn’t push harder to prove Himself; He rested in the Father’s will.

So if you’re staring at a spinning circle in your own life right now—waiting for things to load, fighting to keep up—hear this:

• Live not as overworked human doings, but as loved human beings.
• Trade exhaustion for dependence.
• Find strength in surrender.
  

You can’t do it all. And that’s good news! Because dependence on God isn’t weakness, it’s where real life begins.

If you’ve ever had to update your résumé, you know the drill: list your achievements, polish the language, make yourself sound qualified. And if we’re honest, sometimes we stretch the truth just a little, adding the skills we hope we have.

We do something similar when it comes to sharing our faith. We assume we have to be polished and perfectly qualified to talk about Jesus—as if God only uses people with the right words, the right story, or the right degree of confidence. But evangelism isn’t about a presentation or a platform. It’s about being willing.

It’s Not About What You’ve Done
The Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 10 cut through all the self-doubt: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” Feet aren’t beautiful because they’re perfect, they’re beautiful because they move. They go where God sends them. So before we worry about being “qualified,” maybe we should just start walking. Faith isn’t about checking boxes—attendance, service, giving, volunteering—any more than going to the lake makes you a fish. We don’t earn salvation through what we do; we respond to salvation through how we live. What makes you “saved” isn’t what you’ve accomplished for God—it’s what He’s already done for you through Jesus. Everything else is the overflow.

The Message and the Messenger
Paul’s question: “How can they hear without someone telling them?” reminds us that every believer is a messenger. Not everyone is called to preach from a stage, but all of us are called to bring the message of hope to someone who needs it. That doesn’t mean you have to lead with a sermon. Sometimes it’s as simple as an invitation, a story, or even a cup of coffee.

There’s a story from Sydney, Australia, about a man named Don Ritchie, who lived next to one of the world’s most notorious cliffs for suicide attempts. He made a decision: whenever he saw someone standing near the edge, he’d walk out and invite them in for a cup of tea. That’s it... just tea and a conversation. It’s estimated he saved hundreds of lives that way. When asked why he did it, he said, “You can’t just sit there and watch them. You’ve got to try and save them. It’s pretty simple.” That’s the heart of evangelism. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about being the person who walks toward someone when everyone else walks away.

It’s Personal
You can’t reach everyone, but you can reach someone. Jesus modeled that in Luke 15, leaving the ninety-nine to go after the one lost sheep. He wasn’t neglecting the rest, he was showing us that love gets personal. It notices. It pursues. It celebrates when the one comes home. So here’s the question: Who’s your one?
Who’s the person in your life who doesn’t yet know the peace, hope, or purpose that comes from following Jesus? The one who weighs on your heart when you pray? It might not be a stranger, but it’s probably someone already in your circle. A family member. A coworker. A neighbor. Someone who’s been on your mind for a while. You don’t have to “fix” them or “convert” them. God doesn’t ask you to change people, He only asks you to point them toward the One who changed you.

Start with a Simple Step
This week, ask God to show you your one. Then ask for a chance to listen, encourage, or start a conversation. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, it might be a kind text, an invitation to lunch, or an offer to pray for them. Evangelism isn’t reserved for the “ultra-trained.” It’s a calling we all share, one cup of coffee, one kind word, one small step at a time.
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Because the mission of Jesus isn’t complicated.
It’s simply about being the one for someone else.

​We’ve all had those awkward conversations—the ones that make you wish you could suddenly melt into the floor. You say something, they misunderstand, and the silence that follows feels about a mile wide. Most of us try to avoid moments like that.

So when we think about talking to someone about faith, it’s no wonder we get nervous.
We picture a pressure-filled moment where we have to say exactly the right thing at exactly the right time, as if we’re delivering a flawless sales pitch for God.

But what if sharing faith isn’t a presentation at all?
What if it’s a conversation...  one that might already be happening in your everyday life?


Your Life Is Already Saying Something
Whether you realize it or not, your life is constantly speaking. The way you treat people. How you handle stress. What you prioritize.
If people know you follow Jesus, they’re learning something about Him from the way you live. The Apostle Paul wrote, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our very lives as well.” That phrase--“our lives as well”—is huge. Paul understood that words matter, but how we live either amplifies or undermines them. Our everyday actions are the loudest testimony we’ll ever give. So maybe t he question isn’t just, “Have I told anyone about Jesus lately?” Maybe it’s also, “What story is my life already telling?”

People Before Presentations
For a long time, evangelism was often taught like a script: memorize the points, lead the person to a decision, and move on to the next. But our world has changed. Most people don’t know the Bible like they used to. Many have never set foot inside a church. Today, people need more than a polished argument—they need someone who genuinely listens. Evangelism in our time looks a lot like friendship. It means meeting people where they are, hearing their stories, noticing their needs, and being open to how God might use a normal conversation for something eternal. When we focus on winning an argument, we stop listening. But when we focus on loving a person, we make space for God to do something powerful.

The Art of Listening
Jesus was the master of noticing people. In the first three chapters of Mark’s Gospel alone, there are eight moments when people approached Him with real needs. And every single time, He stopped. He listened. He responded with compassion. Sometimes, the best way to share your faith isn’t to talk more, but to listen longer. When someone opens up about what’s hard, or what’s missing, that’s not just small talk—it might be a divine appointment. You don’t need a platform to be part of what God is doing. You just need an open heart, a little awareness, and the courage to follow a nudge.

Everyday Conversations That Matter
Here’s the thing: God is already arranging intersections between your life and someone else’s. Those intersections are where divine appointments happen.  When an intentional follower of Jesus crosses paths with someone who’s spiritually curious. But, how do you recognize those moments? Try watching for these signs:

1. They bring up spiritual things or big-picture questions.
2. They share a problem that feels too heavy to handle.
3. They notice something about your life—your peace, your marriage, your perspective—and ask about it.

That’s your cue. You don’t need a PowerPoint or a three-point sermon. You just need to be real. A simple “I’ll pray for that,” or “Here’s what’s helped me,” can open more doors than any polished speech ever could.

Who’s in Your Circle?
Evangelism isn’t just for strangers on street corners. Most of the time, it’s for the people already in our lives. Those we eat with, work with, text with, or share a fence line with. Start by praying for the people in your circle: family, coworkers, neighbors, friends. Ask God to soften hearts and create natural opportunities. You don’t have to force it, just be available when the time comes.

If that feels intimidating, remember this: you’re not alone.
Jesus Himself prayed for you before He went to the cross. He asked the Father to send you into the world with the same Spirit that gave Him strength. You don’t carry this message by yourself—you carry it with Him.

It Starts in the Heart
Evangelism isn’t about having the right words. It’s about having the right heart. When your own heart is stirred by the love of God, it overflows naturally into the lives of others. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s presence. Be there. Be kind. Be real. And let your life do the talking. So this week, pray a simple prayer:
“God, give me eyes to see the people around me and courage to speak when You open the door.”
Then watch what happens. Because you never know which ordinary conversation could become a holy moment.

​Ever feel like you’re running on fumes—doing life, but without much life in it?
​The calendar is packed, the to-do list never ends, but your soul feels dry. Call it spiritual dehydration. You might even notice it in little ways: more easily discouraged, more quickly irritated, less eager to pray or worship.

This week we launched How Will They Know with a simple but urgent truth: real change starts inside, not outside. Before neighborhoods, workplaces, or the world see anything different, something has to ignite beneath the surface of our own hearts.

Pay Attention to the Warning Lights
Think of the Holy Spirit like the check-engine light on an old truck. A gentle, persistent signal that something’s off. We can ignore it for a while—maybe even get used to the dashboard lit up like Christmas—but problems under the hood don’t fix themselves.
Revival begins when we stop pretending all is well and let God search us: What’s out of alignment? What bitterness, apathy, or distraction is draining the spark?

Move from Conviction to Action
Conviction isn’t the finish line; it’s the on-ramp. Repentance means turning around—replacing old patterns with new obedience. The late preacher Charles Finney put it bluntly: revival is a new beginning of obedience to God. That new beginning can happen any day, even today, if we decide to stop ignoring the signal and start moving in a different direction.

Choose a Better Feast
Imagine standing at an endless buffet—steaming comfort food, fresh fruit, every dessert you love—and settling for a single potato cube.
That’s what it’s like to nibble on quick prayers or occasional worship while ignoring the deep presence of God. His presence is the feast. We choose how hungry we’ll be, by what we fill our minds and hearts with every day: scripture, prayer, honest worship, silence, service.
Hunger for God isn’t something He forces; it’s something we cultivate.

Let the Heat Build Beneath the Surface
Revival doesn’t explode overnight. It’s more like a volcano—slow, unseen heat building until the surface can’t contain it. When God turns up the temperature inside, change naturally flows outward.
Tim Keller described three things that happen when revival breaks out:

1. Sleepy Christians wake up
2. Nominal Christians discover real faith
3. People who were far from God are drawn in

In other words, when one heart ignites, others catch fire.

Why This Matters Today
The world is thirsty for hope that lasts. But revival out there starts in here. It starts when we ask:
Search me, God. Show me what needs to change. Turn up the heat. Make me hungry for You again.

You don’t need to wait for a big event or a perfect plan. All it takes is a spark—your spark. Like the young Peter Cartwright in 1801 whose quiet surrender sparked part of America’s Second Great Awakening, one heart set ablaze can ripple far beyond what you see.
So pause. Breathe. Ask God to light the match. Because the revival that changes families, neighborhoods, and cities always begins with one willing heart.

Life is full of ordinary minutes that quietly become sacred.

A conversation that softens your heart.

A sunrise that steadies your soul.

A challenge that drives you to prayer.

These moments don’t just pass by; they leave a mark.

​They shape who you are becoming and how you reveal Christ’s love to others.


Pause & Notice
Set aside unhurried time today. Breathe deeply. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you remember.

• Where did you meet God this week?
  On a walk, at the kitchen sink, in a conversation, in a hard decision?
• What obstacles tried to keep you distant?
  Worry, disappointment, busyness, conflict, grief?
• What truth about God do you need to carry forward?
  His nearness? His faithfulness? His power to restore?

Write your answers in a journal, type them in your notes app, or whisper them aloud.
Tell God the truth—He listens.

Let Your Story Shape Your Week
Moments become markers when we let them change how we live.

• Is there someone you need to encourage or forgive because of what God showed you?
• Is there a place to serve or speak up this week because of a nudge you felt?
• Could you share a small piece of your story in a text, at dinner, or in your Life Group to strengthen someone else?

Faith grows stronger when it is shared.
Even the simplest testimony—“Here’s where I saw God today”—can spark hope in someone else.

Pray with Purpose
Use these prompts as you pray:

• Gratitude
  God, thank You for meeting me in…
• Surrender
  I release my worry about… and trust You to hold it.
• Strength
  Give me courage to live out the truth You showed me about…
• Community
  Help me bear the burdens of others and let others help carry mine.

Return to these prayers during the week.
Let them become conversation starters with God as new moments unfold.

Carry the Mark
Every story of grace, every answered prayer, and every step of obedience becomes a spiritual milestone.
Look back with gratitude.
Look ahead with expectancy.
Let this week’s moments mark you, and let your life quietly point others to the One who is always at work.

Have you ever watched a movie that built up all the excitement - it had a great plot, and strong characters - and then it just ended with a whimper? A weak ending can make the whole story feel unfinished.

Psalm 150 closes the book of Psalms with the opposite effect: it soars.

From the first line: “Praise the Lord!” to its final breath, it’s a call to celebrate with music, movement, and joy.

But celebration here isn’t just about music or Sunday mornings. It’s about learning to notice the good and responding with gratitude wherever we are: around a dinner table, on a quiet walk, or in the middle of a hectic workday.

It’s choosing to look past the fog of stress and disappointment to see what’s still solid and true.

That matters because feelings shift.
We all have days when showing up feels heavy.  At the office, with the family, and even during a quiet time prayer.
Psalm 150 invites us to keep celebrating anyway, not by faking a smile but by anchoring to something deeper than moods.
Like wiping condensation off a window, celebration clears our view so we can see the bigger story.

Modern research even affirms it: gratitude and joyful reflection can literally rewire the brain, increasing resilience and well-being.
It’s a quiet but powerful way to stay grounded when life doesn’t match our expectations.

Maybe this week the practice is simple: each day, name three things worth celebrating—big or small. Whether it’s a breakthrough at work, the sound of fall leaves underfoot, or a friendship that’s holding steady, let those moments reset your perspective.
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You might be surprised how a daily rhythm of celebration can change not just your outlook, but you.

Life has a way of reminding us that it’s short. Sometimes it’s the loss of someone we know. Sometimes it’s a health scare. Other times it’s just that quiet awareness that the days are moving faster than we’d like.

Psalm 90 puts it plainly: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Moses, the author of this psalm, knew that life is fragile and fleeting. But he also knew that recognizing the brevity of life could lead to something powerful: wisdom.

Our culture offers all kinds of responses to life’s shortness. Some chase adrenaline. Others chase productivity. But neither one leads to lasting joy or peace. Moses points us to something better: learning to live with meaningful urgency.



​Meaningful urgency isn’t about rushing harder or doing more. It’s about living on purpose. It's about choosing presence, prioritizing people, and leaning into God’s mission for your life. It’s urgency without panic.

What Does Meaningful Urgency Look Like?

• Purpose over panic. Instead of rushing, live with intention.
• Presence over productivity. Notice God and others in the ordinary moments.
• People over distractions. Prioritize relationships that really matter.
• Faithfulness over flashiness. Trade adrenaline and busyness for steady obedience.

Prompts to Reflect On

• If you knew you only had two years left, what would you change about how you live today?
• Where in your life are you chasing productivity or adrenaline more than presence?
• What would it look like to give God your best time instead of your leftover time?
• How could you practice meaningful urgency this week—in your work, family, or friendships?

The Big Takeaway
Life is short. We can’t control the number of our days, but we can control how we live them. Meaningful urgency isn’t about panic or pressure, it’s all about living with clarity, presence, and purpose.

​When we recognize how brief life is, we gain the wisdom to live it well.