The Sword & Shield: Devotionals for Men

We all struggle to make right decisions, especially in circumstances where emotions and feelings are driving what we would like to do. As Christ-followers, we have to allow the Holy Spirit to help us look beyond the good way and find God's way. In today's episode, we'll look at three situations where David had a clear choice and, in the end, chose God's way over his own, even when...

Do you often feel unworthy and insecure? Have you or do you ever tell God that He's got the wrong guy when you sense He's asking you to partner with Him? In today's episode, we'll look at Scripture that helps us see we are in good company, but, at the same time, realize we have to stop telling God who we aren't and buy into who He says we are.

We love the people who make us feel good and we work to avoid the folks who don't. But God wants to use every relationship in our lives to transform us into the image of Jesus. This episode might just help you have a fresh perspective on the people you want out of your life.

Someone can look the picture of health physically while being emaciated spiritually. Be overweight while starving the spirit. Hear the Word every Sunday morning and then wonder why nothing changes. In this episode, we take a look at what it means to suffer from "spiritual eating disorders."

In this episode we look at the two times the Book of Mark tells us about Jesus feeding thousands of people in the middle of nowhere and how we can connect that as a principle for how we experience His grace in our lives, as well as share that with others.

There are days where we feel troubled. Maybe we know why, maybe we don't, but our minds and spirits are struggling. In those frustrating times, how can we trade our chaos for God's peace? In today's episode, we look at the practical way to engage this spiritual transaction.

Often, as Christians, we can state what we believe but the challenge can come when we have to explain why we believe. In today's episode, we'll look at the analogy of owning vs. renting to better understand this important concept for maturing and deepening in spiritual growth. .

There are truths we believe because we know them to be true. Then there are truths we believe because we have lived them. That brings the question, "Why do I believe what I believe?" Could someone talk you out of a truth you know? But who could separate you from a truth where you walked through a fire and it's now a part of you? In today's episode, we take a look at the differenc...

As men, how we think is crucial to how we live our lives. Do you view your Christian walk as a remodel where Jesus is the Contractor or a new house where He is the Carpenter? In today's episode, we look at one verse that gives us a clear lens through which we should see our lives. The way God sees in us in Christ.

Today, so many Christians aren't sure what to do with the command we have to share Jesus. The dilemma can create everything from guilt to goofy to grief. So, what are we supposed to do with the Gospel? Isn't the offer offensive today? In this episode, we'll look at how Jesus made it as easy as understanding the difference between rocks and roots.

New Testament teaching tells us if we have a relationship with Jesus, we are now His temple, no longer an ark or a building. That brings the story of Jesus clearing the temple in all four Gospels into a brand new light. In this episode, we take a deeper dive into that legendary story and how it applies to our lives today.

When we look at manger scenes and watch Nativity reenactments, most people pay no attention to Joseph. But the few Scriptures we have about him are so rich and full of lessons to learn from the man who God hand-picked to raise His Son—the sinless Savior of the world. No matter what time of year you listen to this episode, I promise Joseph's story will be inspiring to you.

In the US, we go through this strange transformation from October to December, from celebrating Halloween to Christmas, changing our focus from darkness to light, from fear to hope. Nestled right in between these two holidays is Thanksgiving. In today's episode we talk about making the choice of gratitude versus the decisions that can bring us guilt.

We all have regrets about choices we have made. No one escapes that dilemma. But the amount of time we spend looking back, reflecting on failure can have a devastation effect on where we are and where we're going. In today's episode, we're going to take a look at the purpose of the rearview mirror vs. the windshield as a metaphor for our choices in how we live day to day.

Every day, we produce trash in our lives—stuff we decide we don't need, don't want, or have to get rid of. In cat some of it starts to stink if we let it sit too long. Every day, we also sin—we disobey a holy God. But just as we have to choose to throw stuff away, we have to choose what we will bring before God. Today's episode uses a common metaphor to help us better understand confes...

As we walk through life and mature as Christ-followers, we are going to have to deal with "gray areas," the places where we aren't clear on what we should do or how we should handle an issue. Today's episode offers some practical advice on approaching this dliemma.

After having celebrated 39 years of marriage, while certainly not claiming to be an expert on the subject, in this episode, I thought I would share ten principles that I have challenged myself to hold to over the years. Whether you're married a long time, newly married, divorced, remarried, or single hoping to one day be married, I hope these can encourage and inspire you in the one relationsh...

Anytime you are involved in any of your circles of influence, your mind and body are present, regardless of your level of engagement. But what about your spirit as a Christ-follower? Is that aspect of you engaged as well? How does this work and what might God do if we paid more attention to this amazing and available gift from Him?

We all have to have some contracts in our lives, but, as Christ-followers, we also need to understand the biblical concept of covenants. Where men want a contract in place, God desires a covenant, which we see throughout both the Old and New Testament. This episode talks about the difference in the two dynamics and invites you to take an inventory of your covenant life.

The question of "Who is your pastor?" is a really interesting one for us all. There are some valid life questions and some deep truths for us to get from considering the strategy we have for a crisis. Today's episode asks that question of you and then offers some challenging thoughts for you.

Prayer is, of course, one of the foundational dynamics of following Jesus. So, how can we become more focused when we talk with God? How can we grow in this discipline of our faith? In this episode, I offer some simple answers that can help you in sharing your heart and mind with your Heavenly Father.

One of the most asked questions I've ever gotten over the years from Christ-followers is "How Can I Hear God?" The real concern is always, "How can I be sure it's His voice and not my own?" In this episode, we'll talk about the rarely discussed discipline of listening during our prayer time—developing the aspect of discipleship where we hear and obey His voice. We a...

Of the thousands of metaphors for life, few are better than a climb up a mountain. Especially as men, we can relate to the days we have to dig our fingernails in to hold on and not fall, as well as the days we can look out and enjoy the beauty of where we have been allowed to reach. Today, let's talk about the mountain of life through the lens of a teaching that Jesus gave on a literal mountai...

Most men today count the guys they work with or are in their career network as their friends. But who do you hang out with? Spend time with? Talk to? But then the big question—where do you go when you need counsel? Real help? When the crisis comes? In this episode, we evaluate the difference between acquaintances, friends, and brothers.

We see the darkness growing stronger in our world every day. Meanwhile, we have a story to tell about Jesus who has changed our lives and will always overcome any darkness with His Light. We live in a day when people don't want to be told what to do, but everyone sure loves a great story. And we have a really good one to tell.