Introduction

I had the joy of having a Dad who dared to be a man after God’s own heart. I’ve also had other friends and pastors who’ve set the pace for me to follow. My way has been marked clearly before me. I’ll be forever grateful. Though my father died just recently, the blessing of his life truly lives on in me and, I hope, through me to others.

Some of you have been differently blessed. You have had few if any role models blazing the trail before you. It might encourage you to know that my father didn’t either. Dad grew up in a home where there was no spiritual training. His dad was an agnostic. His mom had no real faith in Christ. My father wasn’t saved by the grace of God until he was 23, and even then there were no strong leaders in his life. He had no marriage seminars to attend, no shelf-loads of books to read, no rich heritage from which to draw.

He did have his Bible. And he did have a bold and unwavering faith that believed the Bible to be God’s Word and the final answer for everything. That set him up pretty well as it turned out. He and mom teamed up to raise six children while simultaneously serving in career missionary and pastoral work for more than 50 years. Five of those six children walk with Christ today, and are committed to the advance of His church.

Dad’s story is worth telling because it’s a story from which all can benefit. He had no spiritual heritage, yet he created a rich one. He had no special training, yet he trained many. His schooling was minimal, yet he and his sons have taught thousands. He had no models to follow, yet he became a model for more than I can count.

Dad demonstrated what God’s grace can produce in any and every man. For Dad was everyman. He was an ordinary man with extraordinary grace and faith. He lived life to the full in God, and he made sure that he passed on to us as much of that as he knew how. Brothers, you can do the same. Believe God for great things. Believe in the power of the gospel in and through your life. Believe that God has raised you up for such a time as this, to raise up families which will leave a mark on this generation.

Do not fear, neither be afraid. God is in you and God is about to do something through you in the lives of others. That’s the power of the gospel. Believe and obey. Let us, like men, be strong—as Paul would have put it—so we can stand, and defend and build our homes.

I pray that this devotional journey will set you in the right direction. Be sure to make this just a small part of the guidance of your life. Go to the Word. Be part of a strong local church. Follow the leadership of that church. Stand with other men in that church, and fight the fight together; then watch God work.

Yours in the fight,
Tim

P.S. Here are a few suggestions for the reading of this devotional:

• Have your Bible open and turn to the Scriptures cited. The blessing and authority of any idea expressed in the devotional is only as valid as the Word of God behind it.

• My goal is to present Biblical views of masculinity in bite-sized portions, so don’t expect lengthy explanations or arguments.

• The readings are loosely connected to, but largely independent of, each other. They are reflections meant to be brief and provocative, not profound or brilliant.

• I would recommend combining this devotional course with reading books like C.J. Mahaney’s Living the Cross Centered Life, and Jerry Bridges’ The Gospel for Real People. This will help you to balance grace and duty as you go along.