Blueprint for Men

A long time ago, in a desert far away Jesus winced in pain as He stared at a magnificent angel. Satan, disguised as a mighty being of light stood before Jesus exuding raw power and bold confidence. Jesus, who hadn’t eaten in 40 days, tottered on weak legs. His vision blurred, and His stomach grumbled.    Satan glanced at Jesus’ belly and grinned. “You’re hungry.” Then the angel stooped down, picked up a smooth stone and rolled in his powerful hand. Satan spoke. “All the angels and I were there when you created this planet. I remember the awesome power of your words. You spoke and created light. Your words were so powerful.”   Satan looked at Jesus and tossed him the stone. Jesus caught it but didn’t break eye contact.    Satan continued, “You will need that power to accomplish your mission. So before you begin your ministry, all of heaven needs to know that you have the ability to take care of yourself, to save yourself.”    Jesus didn’t speak. His face was calm, his eyes were bold.    Satan couldn’t tell if his disguise had worked, so he pointed to the rock still in Jesus’ hands. “You haven’t performed a miracle or shown a sign of your true nature for thirty years. It’s time to speak again, to create again. If you are the Son of God, turn that stone into bread.”    Satan had prepared for this very moment for centuries. He had strategized every word, every gesture, every pause for the most powerful effect. And now he waited for the perfect few seconds and then pounced, “Do it, and prove to the Universe that you truly are the Son of God.”   Jesus, weak and emaciated from hunger and thirst, seemed like an easy mark in front of the brilliant angel. Yet, beneath the human frailty, Jesus had an invisible Source of strength. He had faith.   Jesus too, had been preparing for this moment, countless hours pouring over the Scriptures, meditating on their meanings, memorizing the sacred verses, hundreds of early mornings, up before dawn, walking, listening, and praying in the fields.    During all those hours, Jesus had learned one thing: God’s got this. No matter what, no matter the issue, no matter the struggle, no matter the need. God’s got this.    And at this very moment of his temptation, Jesus chose to trust.   Jesus chose to pray. And as he silently prayed, Jesus saw the trap.    Would Jesus trust in God to provide for His needs, or would He give in to doubt and try to save himself?    God called Him into the desert. For 40 days God had kept His body going without food or water. Could Jesus trust in God for just a little bit longer, or was it time to take matters into His own hands?   Jesus bowed his head and took a long, slow breath. God’s got this, He said silently. Then a Bible verse flashed into His mind.    Jesus looked up and stared into satan’s eyes, Jesus tossed the rock away. It cracked and rolled across the craggy ground. Jesus spoke. “It is written: Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”   In one simple reply, Jesus demolished the doubts, the fears, and the lies of satan.    Jesus was saying, “I trust in my Father. I don’t have to prove my identity to you or his love for me. I don’t have to save myself. God will provide.”    Inside Satan boiled with rage. In one simple move, in one simple verse, Jesus had put him in checkmate. He had hoped that Jesus would argue and try to reason with him as so many other humans had done. But Jesus sidestepped the debate and went straight to the root: God’s character. Jesus declared that God was good and worthy of His trust, even if he was starving.    Satan swallowed his anger and smiled. He must maintain his disguise as an angel. His next temptation was even more sinister, he would trick Jesus through religion. Satan looked up towards heaven, nodded and said, “Now the Father wants me to take you to the temple. It’s time to prove your faith.”   Then satan snapped his fingers, and suddenly both of them disappeared. The desert was empty, a

Blueprint for Men is a ministry that empowers husbands, fathers, and leaders to live like Jesus.  Sign up for our weekly newsletter here.

Episode 4: The Path to Power Luke 4   A long time ago, in a land far away Jesus turned to face the desert. He squinted his soft brown eyes and shielded his face with a hand as he peered into the wasteland. He licked his parched lips as his stomach growled. His vision blurred, and Jesus shook his head and blinked hard.    40 days, he thought. I’ve been out here in the desert for 40 days.    Jesus remembered the cool, refreshing waters of the Jordan river. The strong hands of John as he lowered him into the water. The voice of the Father that had boomed over the crowd. The shining dove. Then the Spirit’s call to come to the desert.    Jesus knew His time in the wilderness would solidify his heart and mind. It would connect Him even closer to His Father, but He also knew that the battle would come. They always come after the spiritual mountaintop experience.   It had been forty days of deep communion with His Father. Forty days of little sleep, no food, no water, just an indescribable intense spiritual experience.   Now it was fading. Now the hunger was growing. Now Jesus felt his human weakness like he had never felt it before.    Jesus heard footsteps and knew it was time. He grimaced in pain as he stood to face the enemy.   Hours later, Jesus’ voice boldly spoke, “It is written, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”    The arch-angle of darkness shook with rage. His powerful fists clenched in hatred.    “This isn’t over,” satan growled as he turned away.   Jesus’ last bit of strength kept him on his feet until the devil had disappeared, then He collapsed.    “Thank you, Father,” he breathed.   Luke 4:14 says that after the temptations in the wilderness, “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit…”   Luke 4:1 says “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led by the Spirit into the desert.”   Jesus begins His journey full of the Spirit and after the 40 days of fasting, the epic battle with satan, He emerges with the POWER of the Spirit.    Jesus grew through the temptation experience and came out more powerful than when He started.    says, “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame.”   The principle of Growth starts with suffering which leads to endurance which leads to character which leads to hope which leads to no shame and no disappointment.   James 1:2-3 “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials bc you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work that you may be mature and complete.    God’s will for men is for them to be full of Holy Spirit: fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.   He knows we will grow through trials. God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but He will provide a way of escape. It’s like having a personal trainer at the gym. They are always there, pushing us hard but never to the point of breaking or injury.   We will emerge from battle with power. The power to preach the good news, heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, to bust into satan’s dungeons and set his prisoners free.    The sins of our society lay at the feet of men. Sex trafficking, pornography, prostitution is fueled by lustful men.  Abortions happen when men fail to take responsibility and protect their unborn children. Child abuse, domestic violence, teen suicides, eating disorders, gang violence, rape, violent crimes, and even riots in the streets all happen bc of the sins of men.    These issues are not social problems. They are male problems. They happen when men let evil conquer their hearts. These crimes must stop. And for that to happen Godly men need supernatural power to conquer these bastions of darkness    It’s not God’s will for you to become a good little man, an emasculated weakling who follows all the rules, tucks in your shirt, makes e

Blueprint for Men is a ministry that empowers husbands, fathers, and leaders to live like Jesus.  Sign up for our weekly newsletter here.

When you follow Jesus, He gives you a new name. This name is a promise hinting at your destiny, your gifting, and your true character. You are who God says you are.  Besides your personal name, God has a lot to say about your identity in the Bible as well. With God's Word, you can confidently declare: I am a child of God- John 1:12   I am a branch connected to the vine. I am a fruit-bearer. John 15:1, 5   I am a friend of Jesus. John 15:15   I am justified and redeemed. Rom 3:24   I am not a slave to sin. I am free. Rom 6:6   I am not condemned. I am accepted. Rom 8:1   I am an heir of heaven. Rom 8:17   I am a saint. 1 Cor 1:2   I am a temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor 6:19   I am triumphant, a victor! 2 Cor 2:14   I am a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17   I am the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:21   I am alive with Christ. Eph 2:4, 5   I am more than a conqueror. Rom 8:37   I am a prince of heaven and sit with Jesus on the royal throne of heaven. Eph 2:6   I am God’s workmanship, his masterpiece, created to do good works. Eph 2:10

Blueprint for Men is a ministry that empowers husbands, fathers, and leaders to live like Jesus.  Sign up for our weekly newsletter here.

Too much of Christianity is about trying to fit into rules and standards of behavior. When Jesus invites us to come and see, He offers us an experience, an encounter. When we come to Jesus and see Him with clarity, then the Christian walk comes alive. If you are feeling frustrated, depressed, or overwhelmed in your Christian walk, the solution is simple. Come and see. 

Blueprint for Men is a ministry that empowers husbands, fathers, and leaders to live like Jesus.  Sign up for our weekly newsletter here.

All men face storms in their lives. Jesus shows us the power of our words in the middle of our struggles. He spoke to the storm and created peace. We cannot control the weather like Jesus, but we are equipped to control our thoughts, emotions, and reactions. Our words are the secret to tapping into the calm during the chaos. Like Jesus, men can speak words of life, and like Jesus, men can bring peace to the storm. 

Blueprint for Men is a ministry that empowers husbands, fathers, and leaders to live like Jesus.  Sign up for our weekly newsletter here.