Two Minutes in the Bible(TM) for Men

Boyd Bailey

Description

What is the true meaning of success in your work, at home, and in your other relationships? What does "finishing well" mean for you? How can you be confident you will one day hear the Lord say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant"? The answers to life's most important questions are found in Scripture and highlighted in these down-to-earth daily readings for men. You'll find the wisdom and inspiration you need to grow in your personal character and connect with God in every area of your life. Each brief devotion includes a short passage of Scripture, a brief reflection, a question to help you remember the message and take appropriate action, and a short list of related Scripture references for further study. Start each day with just two minutes in the Bible and enjoy the adventure of living as a man of God today.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Harvest House Publishers, Inc.
• Date de parution: 01 janvier 2016
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780736965330
• Langue: English

Extrait

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Verses marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible , 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ( www.Lockman.org )
Verses marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version . Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Verses marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Verses marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Verses marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Verses marked AMP are taken from The Amplified Bible, Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Used by permission. ( www.Lockman.org )
Cover by Left Coast Design, Portland, Oregon
TWO MINUTES IN THE BIBLE is a trademark of Boyd Bailey. Harvest House Publishers, Inc., is the exclusive licensee of the trademark TWO MINUTES IN THE BIBLE.
TWO MINUTES IN THE BIBLE FOR MEN
Copyright 2015 Boyd Bailey
Published by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bailey, Boyd
Two minutes in the Bible for men / Boyd Bailey.
pages cm
ISBN 978-0-7369-6532-3 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-0-7369-6533-0 (eBook)
1. Christian men-Religious life. 2. Christian men-Prayers and devotions 3. Christian life-Meditations. I. Title.
BV4528.2.B35 2015
242 .642-dc23
2015023104
All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other-without the prior written permission of the publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a nontransferable, nonexclusive, and noncommercial right to access and view this electronic publication, and purchaser agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of author s and publisher s rights is strictly prohibited.
Dedication
To Charlie Renfroe my mentor, a man s man, and most of all, God s man
To Johnny Hunt my friend, a man who loves men a man with a fiery heart for God
Contents
Dedication
Introduction
1. Dressed for Success
2. Tell the Truth
3. Abundant Forgiveness
4. Out-Give God
5. Gratitude and Contentment
6. Diligence Rules
7. A Grace-Made Man
8. Motivated by Love
9. Character Is Respected
10. Respectable Leaders
11. Respect the Elderly
12. Christ s Calling
13. Uniquely Gifted
14. Good Leaders Follow
15. Trust Perseveres
16. We, Not Me
17. Image Control
18. Friendliness Attracts Friends
19. The Great Adventure
20. The Pursuit of Pleasure
21. Not Too Serious
22. Spiritual Intimacy
23. Emotional Intimacy
24. Physical Intimacy
25. God s Purpose
26. Mission Accomplished
27. Monetize Your Mission
28. Business as Mission
29. Spiritual Leadership
30. Eternally Motivated
31. Divided Against Itself
32. Built to Last
33. Teach Children Wisdom
34. Leadership Void
35. The D Word
36. Motivated by Money
37. Overcome by Fear
38. Saving the Best for Last
39. Stubborn Pride
40. Pride Forgets
41. Face Time
42. Continue Encouragement
43. Exceed Expectations
44. Attention to Detail
45. Battle Fatigue
46. Process Disappointment
47. Temporary Setbacks
48. Ego s Snare
49. Out-Serve
50. Finish Well
51. First Understand
52. Considered Trustworthy
53. Second Chances
54. A Wise Listener
55. Everyone s Battle
56. God s Battle
57. The Source of Wealth
58. God-Sized Goals
59. Good Versus Best
60. Right Results, Wrong Methods
61. Power of the Path
62. Time Management
63. Morning Preparation
64. Presumptive Praying
65. God Audit
66. Career Challenges
67. Effective Accountability
68. Financial Accountability
69. Temptation s Allure
70. Trials and Temptations
71. Prayer and Action
72. Management Complements Leadership
73. God s Favor
74. Confidence in Leadership
75. Sought by God
76. A Personal God
77. A Personal Savior
78. Personal Peace
79. Conflict Resolution
80. Conflicting Loyalties
81. Respond, Don t React
82. Processing Grief
83. Rest from Work
84. Forced Rest
85. Humbled by Ill-Health
86. Healthy Nourishment
87. Emotional Health
88. Christ Is Wisdom
89. God Is Love
90. Spirit-Led Living
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Wisdom Hunters Resources by Boyd Bailey
About the Publisher
Introduction

M en, it s all about what God wants for us, not what we think we need for ourselves.
My struggle is striving in my own strength instead of drafting behind God, waiting in His wake. My self-reliant spirit gets in the way of the Holy Spirit s work in my life. I am learning that what I will is irrelevant unless it aligns with what God wills. Like the pull of a car with wheels out of alignment, so my prayerless choices steer me onto the rough but slippery shoulder of faithless living. I require regular listening prayer to be realigned onto Christ s purposeful path.
It s good we dream big dreams, but it s better we seek first God s kingdom and His righteousness for our lives (Matthew 6:33). We serve a big God who has big plans for us-our walk with Him, our spiritual leadership at home, our excellence at work, and our relational investments. As godly men, we plan but then submit our plans to Jesus and ask Him to order our steps. It s not enough for us to work hard and make money. We have to ask ourselves, Why do I work? Our noble desire is to work as for the Lord and not men. Christ is the Master over our master plan.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24).
What is your biggest insecurity? Fear of failure, a secret obsession with Internet pornography, a sense of inadequacy, or a fear of people s disapproval? These weaknesses will hold us back until we share them with loving, mature friends in the faith. Our true strength and resolve is found in the Lord. He uses His faithful servants to comfort us and to remind us of the truths of Christ, who transforms our character. We are all fellow strugglers who need each other. The more we are open and accountable to other men, the more we win!
Men, we need mentors, and we need to be mentors. We need mentors to protect us from ourselves. Older men who provide encouragement, accountability, and a proven path to follow. Pray that God will lead you to men with gray hair who admit their past mistakes, confess their current struggles, and give God glory for their successes. The Lord also calls us to mentor young men. Pouring God s blessings into the next generation is wise stewardship. Only what we give away will remain after we go to the grave. Support teachable and faithful men in their various life roles.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).
One last question to pray about: What does it look like for you to finish well? Certainly for Jesus to quietly affirm you with the words, Well done. And for your family s love and respect for you to grow so when you go home to be with the Lord, they are able to celebrate your faithful life. You finish well when you daily do God s will. Humble yourself under God s hand so your will aligns with His will. Humility is the channel for God s grace to flow unimpeded into your soul. Prayerfully use these writings to right your relationship with your heavenly Father. Make His Word the last word in your decision making. Time spent with Jesus saves you time!

Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me (Psalm 119:133).
Boyd Bailey
Roswell, Georgia
1
Dressed for Success

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.
1 P ETER 5:5-6 NKJV
I struggle with having a humble heart. When I don t get my way, pride gets in my way. I have a choice-submit to self and become proud, or submit to God and experience humility. Self wants to fight, but the Spirit leads me to walk by faith in peace. It s my choice to live from the point of view of grace or a get-even mindset. Under God s mighty hand, I develop a humble heart. Without Him, I only embolden my pride, but when I put on humility, I dress for spiritual success.
Paul uses the imagery of getting dressed. Each day we choose to put on a prideful attitude or one that esteems others as better than ourselves. When we prioritize another person s needs or desires before our own, we choose to wear the attractive spirit of humility. When we move toward another s perspective and support whatever is important to them, we can delay our own gratification for another day. The choice to be humble facilitates patience and nurtures intimacy.