Psalm 144

Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle…

It is a battle against the world system to prioritize your spiritual and family life.

It is important to invest into your family…because a blessed nation is one filled with blessed families! What does a blessed family look like - David answers that question with verse 12:

May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace.

Sons will be like plants full grown…or a well-manicured lawn.

Pruning is necessary - say no to them…and teach them self-control, the ability to say no themselves to things that aren’t in their best interest!

As young boys grow into godly men, they will be like “full grown plants” - trees that are straight and strong that offer protection and provision (fruitfulness) for others.

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

In Joshua 1, God encourages Joshua three times with the phrase “be strong and courageous” - what did that mean for Joshua…and what does it mean for you today?

Be strong and courageous for…

Purpose - to advance the Kingdom of God, to inherit what God has for you

Be strong and very courageous, being careful to do…

Path - do not turn to the right or the left, stay on the path of God’s will for your life

Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Power - God is our power source - not your own strength…but His

Examining how this plays out in the life of David might help us better understand this concept.

David has a purpose - to battle against evil

David had a path - didn’t let the armor or discouragement of others dissuade him

David had God’s power - his faith in a mighty God

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

I was up at Sky Ranch recently and had the opportunity to watch students take a “step of faith” off a 30 foot tree - harnessed up so that they wouldn’t fall - but still a pretty brave step to take…and it got me thinking that this physical picture of a step of faith is a good metaphor for our spiritual step of faith that each of us must decide to take…or not.

This also got me thinking about those who say that they have “walked away” from their faith - and how impossible that concept truly is. Christianity isn’t a set of principles, dos and don’ts - it is not a transaction that you can do…and undo. Christianity is transformational - Scripture compares it to being “reborn” - and when you take that step of faith, the Bible says that you are a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17) and the old things are dead…so you couldn’t go back even if you wanted to!

The good news is that taking this initial step of faith and surrendering your life to Christ transforms your mind - just like the physical transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly, you are spiritually transformed. Pastor Tommy Nelson at Denton Bible often uses this little phrase to drive home the point that following principles and rules isn’t going to transform your life - but a relationship with Jesus Christ will:

"'Do this and live!' the law commands, but gives me neither feet nor hands. A better word the gospel brings, it bids me fly and gives me wings."

Guys, take the FIRST STEP of transformation from boyhood to manhood - and that step is placing your faith in Jesus Christ.

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Getting ready for a puberty talk to 5th grade boys, the CHANGES that happen in our bodies got me to thinking about the PURPOSE for those changes - what is God preparing our bodies for…

Walk with me on this journey that looks at how creative God is at preparing us for the work that He has created for us to do (Ephesians 2:10) - but if we go through these life changes and never “spread our wings” and fly as the new creations in Christ, then we miss what God intended for us. Change indicates purpose. Don’t miss yours.

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Huge thank you to Jared Wood for allowing T4M to use his music in our intro and outro selections.

Guest: Dr. David Cobbs, PhD, is a Clinical Neuropsychologist in Dallas, TX

This is the second part of a meaningful and practical conversation with Dr. David Cobbs - he begins by sharing about the “mechanisms” that he’s put in place to draw closer to others and to God - some call these the “spiritual disciplines.” You need to put these practices in place not only to hold you accountable, but also so that you can look back and do some healthy self-evaluation so that you can do better moving forward!

If you’re a “Type A” personality - meaning that you’re driven - it means that you have that personality that could be successful in your spiritual and family life too…if those things are your priority! You have to make the commitment to prioritize the important things…and then follow through with those commitments.

If you haven’t been doing this in the past, NOW is the time to make the adjustment - and find people around you to help you and hold you accountable. Consistency is key. Also consider your Return on your Investment (ROI) - as you invest in others, seeds of connection and commitment are planted and you will reap the harvest of good relationships in the future.

Single guys - start putting these disciplines in your life and you’ll attract a spouse who sees these things as valuable and meaningful. It is critical to surround yourself with good friends who “spur you on to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). Start with getting your relationship with God “right” first…then all your other relationships will be dramatically affected by this foundational relationship.

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Guest: Dr. David Cobbs, PhD, is a Clinical Neuropsychologist in Dallas, TX

Loved hearing the story of David’s spiritual journey - how the power of POSITIVE peer pressure can help push you toward good things and keep you from bad things! David really started to grow in his spiritual life in high school - the younger you can get on the path of right living, the better off things will be in terms of living without regrets and disappointment!

True friends share life together. It’s good to have good friends and far too many men do not have quality friends around them. Remember, a good definition of a friend is someone who shares the most truth with you. How do you develop meaningful relationships with others - David will tell you that you have to be intentional about spending time together - as Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “doing life together.”

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Guest: Robert Christian

Guys, if this message is meaningful to you and you’d like to email Robert Christian directly, you can reach him at [email protected]

Words of wisdom and encouragement from Robert:

Resources for more encouragement:

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Judges 3:31 reads, “After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed 600 of the Philistines with an ox goad, and he also saved Israel.”

What is the life lesson we can take from the story of Shamgar:

What do you have that you can use for the glory of God? And what is your purpose, because your purpose will determine your plans and preparation!

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Guys, consider these three areas of blessing that you can provide for those in need:

Presence - the importance of the “ministry of presence”

Prayer - pray for people in need, let them know that you prayed for them!

Practical - don’t just ask what you can do, look for practical, common sense ways that you can help out!

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

I took this word from the title of a book by Puritan author John Owen - Spiritual-Mindedness.

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:6 (For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.)

Taking control of your thought-life - valuable life skill for everyone, everyday!

2 Corinthians 10:5 - take every thought captive to obey Christ

So our thoughts are the best and surest way of showing us what we are in ourselves. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7).

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2

The strength of the mind is wasted by fruitless thoughts.

The first object, then, of our spiritual thoughts is to consider what God is saying in the daily circumstances of life.

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.