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Transcript of Biblical Manhood Facebook Devotions
Biblical Manhood Facebook Devotions
By
Ryan M Marks
Copyright © 2014 Ryan M. Marks All Rights Reserved.
This eBook is a free PDF. May God bless.
This book may be shared, distributed, or quoted in whole or in part as long as it bears the following Biblical Manhood Facebook Devotions,
Ryan M Marks www.focusingonthemarkministries.com before or after the article (website must be included). This open ended use of the book
bars the selling the book for a profit, however it may be printed, emailed, posted online, etc…as desired.
The Holy Bible, King James Version (marked KJV), Public Domain
The Holy Bible, New King James Version (marked NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Lessons from the Life of Joseph
“…and he left his garment in her hand, and fled.” Genesis 39:12 (KJV)
Today there is a belief that young men and women who “like”
each other should go off on their own and “date” to find out if they’ve
found the right one. They place themselves in a place of zero
accountability and at the very feet of temptation (see James 1:14-15 for
more explanation). Millions of children have been aborted or born out-
of-wedlock in result of such choices—sadly, even amongst “Christian”
circles. . . . we see Joseph respond differently, though, to a very direct
temptation to “go to bed” with the wife of his master. We see Joseph
wisely avoid being around her as much as possible. If we are going to
act in wisdom around members of the opposite sex as well, shouldn’t we
be careful about being alone with a significant other?
The Word says in 1 Corinthians 10:13-14 that “God is faithful, who
will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee… (KJV).” In light of other passages,
this promise only applies to those who don’t give the devil a foothold; in
other words, this promise is for the Believer who is following after
Christ, not for someone who merely wants God for a crutch so they
won’t get into trouble. But our God is merciful, He rescues so many
from temptation when they only call upon Him.
Like Joseph, we should flee temptation at the first opportunity.
Staying isn’t a sign of manhood or toughness, but stupidity, or in nicer
words, a lack of understanding. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says that “God will
provide a way out” but also “flee temptation!”
Question for Transformation
Where do you need to flee temptation and set some boundaries so you
won’t give Satan a foothold?
Lessons from the Life of Joseph
THE FEAR OF GOD
Joseph feared God. We have no record that he responded in hate,
disdain, contempt or any other negative character trait. Instead, we see
Joseph remain amazing faithful even in slavery and false imprisonment.
And everywhere Joseph went God prospered him: when he was in prison
God raised him up to be put in charge of all the other prisoners because
he was so trustworthy!
Joseph was at one of the lowest points in life—in slavery and with the
temptation of a woman who wanted only fornication, but look at what
Joesph said and did
And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes
upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his
master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house,
and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater
in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee,
because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin
against God? 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that
he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11 And it came to
pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and
there was none of the men of the house there within. 12 And she caught him
by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand,
and fled, and got him out. Gen 39:7-12 (KJV)
Joseph was only able to flee the temptation and respond as He did
because he feared God. It is true that you serve who or what you fear. If
you fear getting hit by a car, you’ll take precautions to look both ways
before crossing the street. If you fear God, transgressing His Law and
will will be horrifying to you because you want to please Him, your
Heavenly Master.
Do you fear God?
Lessons from the Life of Joseph:
Persistence
You never hear Joseph complaining—in fact he almost seems to
respond perfectly to his bizarre situation. Skip Joseph’s entire story in
the book of Genesis today. Notice how he doesn’t appear to fight back
when unjustly sold to slave traders, how he cleans himself up before
going to Pharaoh and wisely testifies of God instead of exalting himself
now that he has opportunity, and how he wisely prepares for the famine.
Joseph was a persistent man who didn’t give up. May you be a
persistent man like him. Learn from Joseph!
Thought 92
Scripture Selections for Meditation
Read John 14.
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing
according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us,
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired
of him.” 1 John 5:14-15 KJV
*Please note that we can ask God anything, but when we ask
according to His will, God gives it to us. If we ask with a manipulative
spirit, God knows that and will not answer our prayer (see James 4:1-3).
But how will we know the will of God? By intimately knowing Jesus
Christ and to know Him we must spend time with Him.
--Taken from Thoughts by Ryan M Marks
Apply! Apply!
“Apply thine heart unto instruction,
and thine ears to the words of knowledge.” Proverbs 23:12 (KJV)
Apply your heart, young man, to instruction! And your ears to words
of knowledge! My mission, my resolution when I began a daily personal
devotion time around the age of eleven or twelve was to read a
Proverb every day and to learn wisdom. I took care to apply my heart to
what I was instructed in by my spiritual leadership and I opened my
ears and listened attentively to the words of knowledge that many had
to share from their past experience. I “sat at the feet” of those men
that instructed me.
Daily reading a Proverb is a habit I have kept most days for the past
six or seven years and in that time I know that I have grown in wisdom,
yet there is still so much wisdom that I lack. Others have noticed my
growth though. I encourage you, young men, to seek wisdom and
knowledge from those older than you, and, especially, from the
Scriptures—for they are the ultimate source of all truth.
This chapter of Proverbs goes on to say two key things:
“Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy
mother when she is old. “ vs. 22
“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction,
and understanding.” vs. 23
Lord, may all those who read this be stirred to cultivate a pursuit of
wisdom, truth, discipline, and firm understanding. In Jesus Name, amen.
ALL WORK LEADS TO PROFIT
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
Proverbs 14:23 (KJV)
By the grace of God and the revelation of the Holy Spirit, I’ve learned
that this Scripture is always true. This Word from God does not only
apply to earning money. Instead, every time I work hard in writing, in
ministry, in study, in reading, or in investing in a person THERE IS
PROFIT. As we go on, I pray that you see why and that the Holy Spirit
uses this principle to transform your life.
Notice the second half of this verse says, “but mere talk leads only to
poverty.” Often times our human tendency is to talk and talk about what
needs to be done or what someone needs to do or how we should
respond next time; but mere talk gets nowhere. I’ve spent many hours
talking with people about the condition of our country, politics, the
worldly American church, my failing generation, or other countless
“downing” topics. But what I’ve discovered is that merely talking gets
nothing done. Instead, I have changed my mindset and I try to talk less
and do more. Instead of investing so much energy in repeating a
conversation, I try to do something to influence my generation for the
better, help struggling church members, and stand up for what’s right
amidst a country that has abolished absolute right and wrong.
No matter what arena you find yourself in; if you work hard, God
will bring fruit, there will be a profit: it’s the principle of sowing and
reaping. If I sow mere talk and ideas but don’t do anything, I get nothing
but rotten fruit that shrivels up soon after it has sprouted, but when I
work hard to learn, teach, earn money, study, pursue the Lord or
anything else there is reward, there is benefit, there is profit in some
form.
As a young man, how are you working hard?
What profits have come from your labor?
Where do you need to work hard?
Get still and quiet and listen for the Holy Spirit. Close this time,
communing with Him.
Timothy Commission Series on 1 Timothy 4:11-12
These things command and teach.
Let no man despise thy youth;
but be thou an example of the believers,
in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:11-12 (KJV)
In Speech
How is young man to conduct himself? The answer is found in this
“with seriousness and soundness of speech so you cannot be
condemned.” We are told by Jesus that “out of the abundance of the
heart the mouth speaks”; therefore, your speech in a picture of your
heart. Any secret sins that you entertain in your heart will eventually
work their way out in your speech. I’m speaking from experience on that
one.
Your words have the power of life or death. With words souls are
ministered to our condemned. With words nations go to war or work out
their differences peacefully. With words a family is closely knit and
encouraged or broken down and a war zone.
Watch your speech! Set an example for the believers in speech! Don’t
let your conduct and lifestyle discredit you, be faultless in this area!
These things command and teach.
Let no man despise thy youth;
but be thou an example of the believers,
in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:11-12 (KJV)
In Life
Your lifestyle is a testimony or a curse to you. The way I live has led
others to respect me and seek my advice, but if I didn’t continue to be
punctual, not blab who came to me for advice, or was carefree with what
I did, people would not have the same respect.
The lifestyle of the sloth and diligent determine who they are in
society. The slothful are always behind, lazy, and corrupt; while the
diligent are ready, pure, and hard working.
Your Christian testimony is greatly affected by the way you live. If
you live contrary to the Bible’s teachings then why would people listen
to the “message of redemption” that you preach?
Be careful to lead a blameless life! Others are watching you, your life
IS a witness! What kind of witness is it? Don’t let your life discredit
you!
These things command and teach.
Let no man despise thy youth;
but be thou an example of the believers,
in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:11-12 (KJV)
In Love
“And this is how we know that we are in Christ, if we love the
brethren.” Your life should be a loving one. This is not the
emotion/affection based love that is propagated by our culture; instead, it
is the love in 1 Corinthians 13. Examine that chapter, learn how to love.
Live a loving life! Love the brethren! “For God so loved the world
that he gave his only begotten son (John 3:16 KJV).” Don’t let a lack of
love discredit you!
These things command and teach.
Let no man despise thy youth;
but be thou an example of the believers,
in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:11-12 (KJV)
In Faith
Christians have long been known for their faith: the faith of the
martyrs of the Early Church, the faith of the Protestant’s during the
Inquisition, the faith of the Pilgrims, the faith of the Amish, the faith of
America’s Founding Fathers—they were all known for what they placed
their faith in.
Be an example of the Faith for other believers, young man. Live in
such a way that you won’t be looked down on for being a young man
following Christ.
Scripture says that “whatever is not of faith is sin.” May you have
faith!
Live the faith! Don’t let your lack of faith discredit you!
These things command and teach.
Let no man despise thy youth;
but be thou an example of the believers,
in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:11-12 (KJV)
In Purity
This is an area of many misunderstandings and few applications. To
start I’ll include a FB post from our Biblical Manhood group:
LIFE PRINCIPLE: seeking and waiting for God's direction.
In talking to young men about "girl problems" the last few
years, I have found one statement that will puzzle many and
enlighten others. It is this: if you will seek God and pray to
Him for the "big decisions" of your life like work, college, or
something really important, then why won't you just seek
Him about "the girls?" If you don't get God's approval after
seeking Him, then don't do anything. Don't get involved.
Until God says, "Go," don't run after the ladies and waste
your life piling up regrets.
Live a life of purity. Live one of conviction and caution in
“relationships” with the opposite sex. Above all, follow the Lord’s
leading and not your own lusts.
Your purity if spiritual and physical. Don’t physically commit sexual
immorality and spiritually don’t prostitute yourself with this world. Be
principled, be Biblically-based, BE SELF CONTROLLED IN THIS
GODLESS AGE.
Live a life of purity! Don’t let your lack of purity discredit you! Be a
man of God that actually stands for what God stands for! Our culture is
lacking this kind of man.
Young Men, INVEST in Wisdom
“Riches and honor are with me (wisdom), enduring riches and
righteousness. My fruit I better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and my
revenue than choice silver.”
Proverbs 8:18-19 NKJV
One of the most profitable ventures for young men to embark upon is
the pursuit of wisdom. Wisdom will keep you from many of the painful
follies that American young people fall into, it will keep grounded in the
Fear of the Lord, and it will reap many profits in your spiritual and natural
life.
Riches and honor are with wisdom. This may be in the form physical
wealth, but it will definitely come in the form of a fulfilled life and the
honor and respect of others if you will walk in the Wisdom of the Lord.
Wisdom’s fruit is better than gold or money! It is way better than
material wealth. The rewards that the pursuit of real wisdom has brought
me could not have been bought with money. The respect of adults, peers
and kids could never have been bought. They are the blessing of the Lord,
and a result of listening to what God says about wisdom and how to live
your life.
Do you want to generate a lot of revenue, young man? Well, pursue
wisdom. Contemplate Proverbs. Open your heart to the true Fear of the
Lord—Fear your Maker and trembling, thankfully receive His Word as
your bread.
Wisdom pays returns, so get wisdom! Folly pays disappointment, so forsake it!
About the Author
Ryan M Marks is the author of a number of books including
Hope for When the Storm Hits, 1 Timothy, Multiple Streams of
Income, the 3 volume Thoughts devotional series, and A
Collection of Thoughts on God, Relationships and True Love. In
addition, Ryan serves as the Founder and Director of Focusing on
the Mark Ministries, a DBA of his company Marks Enterprises,
LLC and Chief Editor of Devo Blast.