NEW POSTS
December 28, 2025 through January 3, 2026
December 14, 2025 through December 20, 2025
December 7, 2025 through December 13, 2025
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December 28, 2025 through January 3, 2026
December 14, 2025 through December 20, 2025
December 7, 2025 through December 13, 2025
BOOK REVIEWS
Inspired by Thaddeus J. Williams, Don’t Follow Your Heart: Boldly Breaking the Ten Commandments of Self-Worship (2022).
Why “Be True to Yourself” Is Terrible Advice (And What the Bible Says Instead)
Author: Joe Rigney Series: Gospel Integrity Series (in partnership with Union School of Theology) To Purchase this Book: click here Overview Courage: How the Gospel Creates Christian Fortitude by Joe Rigney is a concise, practical exploration of the Christian virtue of courage—also known as fortitude—and its deep connection to the gospel. Rigney examines how biblical courage is not simply the absence of fear, but a habitual, sober-minded mastery of fear through a greater desire for the glory of God. Drawing on Scripture, church history, and practical wisdom, Rigney encourages believers to develop boldness rooted in Christ, enabling them to face anxiety, anger, fear, and even persecution with steadfast joy. Key Themes Courage as a Christian Virtue: Rigney defines courage as “a stable habit of the heart that masters the passions, especially the passion of fear, through the power of a superior desire.” For Christians, that superior desire is the glory of God, which overcomes all lesser fears and passions. The Gospel as the Source of Courage: The gospel is described as the “fountain of Christian courage.” Because Christ has conquered sin and death, believers can stand boldly before God and men, no longer enslaved by fear of condemnation. Courage vs. Cowardice: Rigney contrasts true courage with its antithesis—cowardice—and encourages Christians to resist timidity and faintheartedness, which sap spiritual strength and resolve. Courage in the Face of Suffering: Drawing from biblical examples, especially the apostles and Paul, Rigney shows that Christian courage often means standing firm and rejoicing even amid suffering, persecution, and loss for the sake of Christ. Practical Application: The book offers practical advice for cultivating courage in daily life, including preaching unpopular truths, mastering passions, and developing courage appropriate to one’s sex. Chapter Summaries
DEVOTIONAL/BIBLE STUDY
Paul's exhortation in Colossians 3:1-17 is a rich guide for Christian living, rooted deeply in biblical understanding of union with Christ, sanctification, and the transformative power of the gospel. Three imperatives stand out in this passage: seek the things above, put to death what is earthly, and put on the virtues of Christ. Each command flows from the believer's position in Christ and calls us to a new way of life. Seek the Things Above Paul opens with a striking call: "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3:1-2). This is not mere religious idealism but a call to live in light of a new spiritual reality. Believers are united to Christ in his death and resurrection—our lives are "hidden with Christ in God" (v.3). To "seek the things above" means to orient our affections, priorities, and thinking toward Christ's kingdom. It is a mindset shaped by the gospel, not by earthly concerns, achievements, or anxieties. This heavenly focus is not escapism; rather, it grounds us in the reality that Christ reigns and that our true identity and hope are found in him. In practical terms, this means that our daily decisions, relationships, and ambitions are to be filtered through the lens of Christ's lordship and our future glory with him. Put to Death What Is Earthly in You Paul moves from identity to action: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). This "mortification of sin" is not a call to self-reformation by human effort, but a response to the reality that we have died with Christ to sin's dominion. The language is uncompromising. Paul does not call us to merely suppress or manage sinful behaviors, but to "wipe them out, completely exterminate the old way of life." This includes both overt sins (sexual immorality, greed) and relational sins (anger, malice, slander, filthy language, lying). The power to do this comes not from ourselves, but from our union with Christ and the indwelling Spirit. As John Owen famously wrote, "Be killing sin or it will be killing you." This process is ongoing. The "already" of grace means we are free from sin's penalty and power, but the "not yet" of sanctification means we must daily put off the old self and its practices. The gospel provides both the motive and the means: we fight sin not to earn God's favor, but because we have already been accepted and transformed in Christ. Put On Then... Having stripped off the old, Paul now commands us to "put on" the new self, which is "being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator" (Colossians 3:10). This is the positive side of sanctification—clothing ourselves with Christlike virtues: "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience... Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" (vv.12-14). These virtues are not self-generated but are the fruit of the Spirit, evidence that we are God's chosen, holy, and dearly loved people. The imperative to "put on" is grounded in the indicative of what God has already accomplished in us. The Christian life is not about earning a new status, but about living out the new identity we have received in Christ. Paul's vision for the church is a community marked by forgiveness, love, peace, gratitude, and worship (vv.13-17). This new way of life transcends social and ethnic boundaries—"Christ is all, and is in all" (v.11). Every word and deed is to be done "in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (v.17). Conclusion: Living Out the Gospel Colossians 3:1-17 calls believers to a radical, gospel-shaped life grounded in these foundational truths: We seek the things above because our life is hidden with Christ. We put to death what is earthly because we have died and risen with him. We put on Christlike virtues because we are God's chosen people, already holy and loved. This is not a call to self-improvement, but to gospel transformation. As we set our minds on Christ and rely on his Spirit, we become what we already are in him—new creations, living for his glory in every aspect of life.
Praying for Each Other: Lessons from Colossians 1:9–13
Why Men Need More Than Life Hacks for Faith
TEACHING
Difference Between a Devotional and Bible Study And the Need for Both
SPECIAL TOPICS/SERIES
Men, We’re heading into a season that is often defined by speed - more traffic, more spending, more events, and more noise. It is easy to wake up on December 26th and realize we survived the month but missed the meaning. To help us stay grounded, I’m attaching a 2025 Advent Reading Plan for our group. It kicks off on November 30 (yes that was yesterday!!) and runs through Christmas Day. The structure is simple but solid, tracking the four traditional themes of Advent: * Week 1: Hope (God’s promises kept) * Week 2: Peace (Restoration with God and man) * Week 3: Joy (Strength in God’s presence) * Week 4: Love (The incarnation) Each day includes a short Scripture reading, a reflection, and a few questions to get you thinking. It’s designed to be doable - something you can read with your morning coffee or with your family at dinner. Here is the bottom line: I’d love for you to join us in this specific plan so we are all tracking through the same scriptures together. However, the most important thing is that you read *something*. If this format doesn’t work for you, or if you already have a devotional you love, use that. Don't let the "perfect" be the enemy of the "good." Just don't let this season pass without anchoring yourself in the Word daily. Let’s be men who prepare Him room this year. In His Service
Let’s be honest-most of us guys know how to get serious when it matters. You buckle down at work to earn that promotion. You hit the gym and stick to a diet when you want to get in shape. You plan for your future, whether it’s buying a house, getting married, or building a business. But when it comes to faith, too many men go on autopilot, assuming spiritual maturity will just “happen” someday. Here’s the truth: God isn’t looking for casual Christians. He’s calling men to step up, take Him seriously, and lead with purpose. Serious About God, Not Yourself Being serious about faith doesn’t mean you have to be a killjoy or walk around with a frown. In fact, some of the most joyful men I know are also the most intentional about their walk with Christ. The opposite of serious isn’t happy-it’s casual. And casual faith is what keeps men stuck, bored, and ineffective. Kevin DeYoung puts it this way: “I’ve often prayed that I would take myself less seriously, even as I take God more seriously.” That’s a challenge worth accepting. Take God seriously-His Word, His calling, His gospel. But don’t make it all about you. We’re Committed-Just Not Always to the Right Things Think about it: You’ll work overtime for your job, but call Christianity “too much work.” You’ll grind through tough workouts, but say following Jesus is “too hard.” You’ll research the best diets, plan your finances, and map out your next vacation, but leave your spiritual growth up to chance. Why do we treat faith like an afterthought when we’re so intentional about everything else? Intentional Faith Is Biblical Manhood The Bible never calls men to be passive or lazy. In fact, it’s just the opposite. “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). God wants men who are all in-who plan, pursue, and persevere in their walk with Him. It’s time to stop making excuses. Don’t buy the lie that real men don’t need God, or that faith is just for women and kids. Real men follow Christ with grit and resolve. How to Get Serious About Your Faith Make Spiritual Habits Non-Negotiable Set a time for prayer, Bible reading, and church-just like you do for work or the gym. Don’t leave it to chance. Lead at Home and in Church Your family and your brothers in Christ need you to show up, speak up, and step up. Find Accountability Don’t go it alone. Get with other men who will challenge you, pray with you, and hold you to a higher standard. Invest in the Next Generation Younger guys are watching. Mentor them. Show them what it looks like to be a man of God. Get Wisdom Seek Out Mentors and Sages Don’t try to figure it out on your own. Find older men who’ve walked the path longer, and invest in younger guys coming up behind you. Multi-generational relationships sharpen us all. Joyful, Not Joyless Serious faith isn’t about being gloomy. It’s about living with purpose and passion. When you take God seriously, you’ll find a joy and strength that casual faith can never deliver. Final Challenge Men, don’t drift through your spiritual life. Don’t let your faith be the one area where you’re content to be casual. God is calling you to more. Take Him seriously. Lead boldly. Live intentionally. The world needs men who are all in for Christ. Will you be one of them?
