Latest / Men's Morning Devotional / Guard the Gate

Transcript

Guard the Gate · Men's Morning Devotional

• 0:01
  SPEAKER_00: Gentlemen, every day is a battle.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: A battle for your faith, your family, and your purpose.
• 0:08
  SPEAKER_00: The men who stand strong don't prepare when the battle arrives.
• 0:12
  SPEAKER_00: They prepare before it begins.
• 0:15
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the men's morning devotional.
• 0:18
  SPEAKER_00: Let's get into God's word.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: It's time to man up.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_01: Good morning, man, and welcome back to our men's morning devotional.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_01: Today's Friday, and I'm excited because we've had an amazing week so far and can't wait to finish strong today.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_01: So here's your man up moment.
• 0:42
  SPEAKER_01: If you don't guard your heart, eventually your heart will control your direction.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_01: Proverbs chapter 4, verse 23 says, Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
• 0:57
  SPEAKER_01: I love how direct this verse is.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_01: Above all else, guard your heart.
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_01: Not sometimes, not only when things are going wrong, above all else.
• 1:07
  SPEAKER_01: Why?
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_01: Because everything we do flows from what is happening inside of us.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_01: Think about your home.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_01: You just don't leave the doors wide open and let anything come inside.
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_01: You're protected because you know what you allow into your home can affect the people living in it.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_01: Proverbs is telling us to have that same mindset with our hearts.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_01: As men, we need to pay attention to what we're allowing inside.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_01: What are we watching?
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_01: What are we listening to?
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_01: What conversations are we constantly having?
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_01: Who are we allowing to influence us?
• 1:48
  SPEAKER_01: What thoughts are we allowing to stay in our minds?
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_01: Because things don't usually destroy our lives overnight.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_01: Most of the time, they start small.
• 1:59
  SPEAKER_01: A little resentment that we refuse to deal with becomes bitterness.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_01: A thought we shouldn't entertain becomes a temptation we keep returning to.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_01: Comparison becomes jealousy, disappointment becomes anger, and before we realize it, something that started small has begun affecting the way we live.
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_01: That's why God says, guard your heart.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_01: And Jesus gives us a powerful example of this in Matthew chapter 4.
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_01: Satan comes to tempt him in the wilderness, and Jesus doesn't entertain temptation or negotiate with it.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_01: He immediately responds with the truth of God's word.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_01: Jesus knew what deserved access to him and what didn't.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_01: That's something we need to learn as men.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_01: Sometimes we ask, is this really that bad?
• 2:52
  SPEAKER_01: When maybe the better question is, is this helping me become more like Jesus?
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_01: Not everything that is available to you deserves access to you.
• 3:04
  SPEAKER_01: Paul says in Corinthians, I have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial.
• 3:12
  SPEAKER_01: And guarding your heart isn't only about keeping bad things out, it is also about protecting the good things God is putting in.
• 3:22
  SPEAKER_01: Your faith, your peace, your integrity, your love for your family, your purpose, and your relationship with God.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_01: Those things are worth protecting.
• 3:34
  SPEAKER_01: Because eventually, whatever is happening in your heart will show up in your life.
• 3:41
  SPEAKER_01: If your heart is filled with bitterness, it will come out in your words.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_01: If it is filled with pride, it will show up in the way you treat people.
• 3:51
  SPEAKER_01: And if you're constantly feeling temptation, eventually it will affect your decisions.
• 3:57
  SPEAKER_01: But if your heart is being filled with God's truth, his peace, his wisdom, and his love, that will flow out too.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_01: So today, take responsibility for the gate.
• 4:10
  SPEAKER_01: Pay attention to what you're allowing in.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_01: Pay attention to what needs to come out and ask God to help you protect what He is building inside of you.
• 4:20
  SPEAKER_01: Here's your man up challenge.
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_01: Take an honest look at one thing you've been allowing into your heart that shouldn't have access anymore.
• 4:29
  SPEAKER_01: And just bring it to God.
• 4:31
  SPEAKER_01: Take one practical step today to close that door.
• 4:36
  SPEAKER_01: Let's pray.
• 4:37
  SPEAKER_01: Father, thank you for reminding us today to guard our hearts.
• 4:41
  SPEAKER_01: Give us the wisdom to recognize what belongs in our lives and what doesn't.
• 4:47
  SPEAKER_01: And help us be more like you every single day.
• 4:50
  SPEAKER_01: In Jesus' name I pray.
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_01: Amen.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_00: All right, gentlemen, you've heard God's word.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_00: Now go live it.
• 5:00
  SPEAKER_00: Lead well, stand strong, honor God in everything you do.
• 5:05
  SPEAKER_00: Share this devotional with another brother.
• 5:07
  SPEAKER_00: Remember, every day is another opportunity to man up.