MAN UP BIBLE SERIES Men Who Matter Lesson Six

The Real World We can all get into a rut, a routine in life and even in our relationship with Christ. Rather than spend time feeling guilty about it, lets look at ways to refresh our commitment to follow Christ. We can easily forget what turned us on to this Christian walk in the first place. The sacrifice of Christ, the forgiveness of sin, the wonder of grace can be lost in the tyranny of the urgent matters of real life. I believe we all want to please God. We long to be in a close relationship with him. If you really want to please God…. Really draw close to Him… It happens through your surrender and trust. It is a totally different way at looking at this idea of having a fresh faith. Trust is the one component that allows us to relax in his arms. To surrender to His leading and to allow God to change us one day at a time. You will be amazed at the impact that trust has on your relationship with God.

The Real Word Galatians 2:16-21 New International Version (NIV) 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in [a] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.a 17 “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker. 19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” [b]b

Real Talk What do you do to keep your relationship fresh with Christ? What does your faith look like today? Has you faith changed? Grown? Shrunk? What kind of faith do you long for?

Real Steps - How to Stay Close to God 1. Admit you can’t do everything on your own. One of the first steps to gaining a closer relationship to God is admitting that you need him in your life. The reality is that we can’t do everything on our own, so admitting this will not only show a sense of humility in your life, but will also show God that you have faith in his strength and promises. 2. Remove yourself from harmful relationships. One of the biggest roadblocks to finding a deeper relationship with God is harmful relationships. Whether these relationships be with family, friends or co-workers, taking yourself out of the equation will help give you the space and energy needed to first get right in your relationship with God. Although this might sound tough to accomplish, you won’t believe the freedom and liberty you will encounter when being able to solely focus on your relationship with God. 3. Get plugged in to a local SA Corps/ Church or small group. You won’t believe how much having a group of people to support you with help you along your journey with God. Getting plugged into a local church or small-group will help keep you accountable, give you wisdom when needed, and even be there for you in times of distress. The Church of God was indented to be done in community, so I encourage you to get yourself plugged in to a community that cares about your relationship with God has much as you do. 4. Read your Bible on a daily basis. Reading your Bible is key. I’m not saying you need to memorize the whole thing in Greek, but you should be spending reading it at least once a day. Whether you simply read it, listen to a podcast or go through a devotional, reading your Bible will help build a foundation for your faith in God. Write down notes that you can look back on, and always be transparent when incorporating what you’ve learned. God will speak you in ways that will not only transform you from the inside out, but will also give you a better grasp as to who you are as a person. 5. Make prayer a priority. Prayer is key. Although prayer can sometimes be looked at as weird or awkward, it’s really not. Look at prayer as a conversation between you and God. You don’t need to light candles, burn incense, or even wear a black robe. Just relax, get somewhere peaceful, and begin a conversation with God that will help build your relationship with him. Martin Luther once said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” That quote is packed with powerful truth, and I want you to begin looking at prayer as your way of staying connected to God. Any relationship with meaning is one that has great communication.

Time to Close It is hard work to be a Christian in today’s world. There are a lot of distractions that can cause us to loose our focus on what is really most important in life. It takes surrender and trust on our part but it also takes effort. Being a Man Who Matters does not just happen… You have to work at it. Not the kind of work that is made up of doing for doing sake… Not an earning it kind of work.. It is a kind of work that is found in perfect obedience…. The ability to really let go and let God work his perfect peace in you. Becoming more like Christ in a very open and transparent way. This is the miracle of Christ living in us in a new and vibrant way! So take a chance and see if you can find a fresh start with God this week. Time to MAN UP!