Read James 1:16 – Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.

Sometimes men can be so gullible. As men of God, we must test everything we plan to build our life around. No man would swing from a mountain on ropes that were not tried. I don’t think a man would fly an airplane that was not proven. No man would enter a ship that was not sea worthy. So why do so many of us cast our eternal lives on principles untried and unproven? Your faith must hold you and your family in the most trying times of life. If the source of your faith fails then your faith is useless. A source of faith that cannot hold up to your questions and tests is not one to cast your life on. As a man of God don’t be deceived by what sounds, looks or feels good. Be faithful to drill down into what you believe to see if it is really good!

A Man’s Model Prayer



Daniel was embarrassed because of the sin of the people. Even though Daniel was probably not one of those who had sinned so blatantly against God, he still felt shame because of the sin of the people. However, Daniel did not stay focused on the sin. He turned the focus to God’s mercy and forgiveness. Even in the midst of our sin and rebellion, God is still merciful and forgiving. When men pray, they can be assured that in spite of their sin, God is still merciful and forgiving. Don’t allow your sin to keep you from coming to God who is always merciful and forgiving.

Read James 1:20 – For man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

There are times to push back from the table and declare something unfit, unwise, or even untrue. Great men know when to follow and when not to acquiesce to the wishes of others. Anger uncontrolled and untamed does not bring good conclusions. God’s desire for us is not for us to get our way, but for His Kingdom to reign. All the pushing and shoving we can do for the right reasons can make the right intentions end up with wrong results. Never let your anger control the agenda of your life. Let the love of Christ which constrains us, bridle and rein us correctly.

Read Daniel 9:10-11 – We have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him (NKJV).



A Man’s Model Prayer



In Daniel’s prayer he repeatedly acknowledged to God that “we” – God’s people – had not obeyed the voice of the Lord as revealed in His Word. Daniel understood that some of the difficulties they experienced came because of their disobedience. Most men have trouble admitting their mistakes. Prayer is an opportunity for us to come to God and admit we have done wrong. God never turns away from a repentant heart. True men are never afraid to come to God and say, “I have disobeyed You; please forgive me.”

Read James 1:23-25 – Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

Every morning we look in the mirror at the man standing in front of it. As we look, we see the spots, blemishes and cracks. As we stand there, we see the effects of age and wear on our faces. As we stand there, we do all we can do to correct what can be corrected. Once we leave that mirror, we lose concern with its image. The same is true with the man who looks in the Word. He sees the truth about himself. As long as he looks in the Word he gets an accurate image of who he is. But let the man get out of the Word and he forgets his blemishes and focuses on the blemishes of others. More can be done when we see the truth about ourselves. The best way for men to be changed is to let the Word change us.

Read Daniel 9:12-13 – And He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven such has never been done as what has been done to Jerusalem. As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth (NKJV).



A Man’s Model Prayer



Daniel acknowledged in his prayer that the judgment God’s people had experienced was a result of their disobedience to God’s Word. It was a devastating judgment like no one had ever seen. However, the greatest mistake was not their sin and idolatry. Their greatest mistake was that they failed to turn to God in prayer. They missed the opportunity to have their sins forgiven and avoid this judgment, simply because they did not go to God in prayer. Men, when we sin, the first thing we need to do is go to God in prayer. By His grace we can turn from our sin.

Read James 2:2-4 – Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

All of us consider, compare and form opinions on the impressions made by those with whom we come into contact. The problem lies when we make judgment with improper laws, mores and opinions. Never should a man be limited or lifted because of our own prejudice and bias. A man is not good because he looks good. He is good because he lives a good life. A person is not less because he has less and lives in less. A man is less when He lives his life shallow and empty. Men cannot judge this by the appearance of a man but by the application of the man. Don’t make a judgment of men by how they look when they enter your Church but how they live outside your Church.

Read James 2:5-7 – Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

Standing on the right side of truth is very important. It is easy to become fixated on positions that are flawed. There may be times that what you are standing for seems correct because of where you are. However, if you backed away from that moment to look at the larger community and the larger issues you would find your position in error. As Christians, our guiding purpose is the Word of God and the will of God. So, how we treat others must not be determined by the culture of a group but by the commands of Christ. His way, His will and His Word must dominate our actions or our actions will be flawed. If a thousand people live and embrace a wrong concept then a thousand people are wrong! Don’t make it a thousand and one who are wrong by not knowing the truth and be willing to stand away from the crowd.

Any prayer offered on behalf would be greatly appreciated. I am facing a terrible circumstance that could destroy me, but I believe there may be hope. And pray anyone praying for me, will get all of there needs met, and will be blessed in a very special way.

Charles