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Day 28
ENGLISH
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.—Luke 23:32-34
How does Jesus have the composure and presence to make a statement as he does at this moment? “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” I have often reflected on how much inner strength is required to endure this moment of cruelty, much less still having the composure to make a completely others-focused declaration.
Now that is a real man and real strength.
I believe many men are stumped by the best definition of "masculine strength." As people who are genetically designed to be men, I still think we are stumped by what it means to be a man. Of course, the answer is not easy to obtain because strong godly male role models are in short supply. Due to this, we often default to turning to a fallen world of inadequate role models to assess the distinctive qualities and features of true masculine strength. And as we all know, our culture poorly defines masculine power, and I know this because I have embraced wrong beliefs on this subject, leading me to poor behavior.
I believe we see a profound example of masculine strength in these twelve words of Jesus. I think Jesus’ posture here represents a glimpse of real power, masculine and spiritual. Strength like no other. Not strength that conquers people through authority, manipulation, or domination, but rather a paradoxical force, one that appears weak yet is superhuman to those with spiritual sight. A strength that makes us uncomfortable because our flesh wants to reject it. It is a strength we rarely witness in ourselves or others.
In Christ, I see the greatest strength at this moment, and this moment he is the model. His strength possesses the inner power to submit to God’s sovereign plan while living through injustice while remaining focused on the eternal destiny of others. While we may not understand the complexity of this moment, this is Christ’s definition of strength.
As you look for ministry opportunities today, seek to live out spiritual, not physical strength. Find ways to go low before others, think of others first, be mindful of God, and less of yourself. Strength is found in using your gifts in the most humble of ways.
DO THIS: Your Call To Act (C.T.A.) today is:
- Pray: for 5-minutes, and confess your need to look strong and to man up before others.
- Tell: us in the comments below the one you need to do to serve and go low before others.
SPANISH
AFRIKAANS
DUTCH
CHINESE
⚡Share That You Completed Today's Challenge 
Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to me where He wants me to serve, then just get involved.
I need to take the initiative and get active in my church.
I need to man up for both my church’s and participate
Stop trying to solve everything and instead trust in others and in Christ
How could Jesus forgive the people who were putting him and the 2 criminals to death?
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
To serve my wife and kids before it is to late and I no long have the opportunity.
I need to be more humble at work. As I lead to lead in humility. To not Lord it over them, but to be a positive influence. Sometimes my methods come off too I tense.
Service
Enter an accountability relationship with a good friend
I need to submit and trust God’s plan. I need to submit to my parents in a greater way. And I need to submit lovingly to my neighbors to be a witness of Christ to them.
Being present.
Submit to other’s plans and desires
To trust and be still today worshiping and praising the Almighty God! Lord Jesus I ask for a soft heart as refugees are entering America, we have no need to go overseas to share the gospel, they are coming to us!
Love others the way Jesus loved us and consider others more important than me.
Serving, listening and humbling myself to those closest to me. I can do it so easily and readily for those people I don’t know or those I’m not close to.
I pray that I continue to serve for His will and not for my own selfish desires.
Just be sure I’m serving with humility, for Gods glory and not my own.
Take more opportunities of God’s ministry that are given to me.
Serve my wife / Family during the Easter season-
To listen and not just hear.
I think this is spot on. Not physical strength but spiritual strength.
The hardest thing for me is to receive offered help because that is my gifting is to help others. And from years of doing this I see how “helpers” are taken advantage of I don’t want to take advantage of someone else either
My family – my wife and my twin girls.
Humility above all else.
I would say my greatest difficulty with ministry is the ministry of my wife, family. I would say to serve them is of the utmost importance. My weakness shall be His strength!!
I need to listen better and more. I need to seek to understand before I question. I need to think about what I’m trying to convey before I speak.
Reach out to others and not be afraid to bring the truth out … no matter what the cost.
Composure. Humility. I just need to practice that in every interaction I have and every relationship. Spiritual discipline
My wife and kids
I pray that God would help me be more thoughtful to my family. Quick to think and slow to speak. Speak words of encouragement instead of being judgemental.
I need to quit thinking about myself and put others first.
My business partner!
I am a ministry multiplier, my skills and knowledge are not for me but to serve others.
Humble myself in my gifts. Don’t try to do too much, but not too little either.
Turn my judgements away from others and toward how well am I serving others.
Be willing to work when I am “off” in order to allow others on my shift to be able to attend Easter Service if they would like.
I need God’s strength and humility, to put my family and others needs before my own.
Lord my pride is one of my greatest weaknesses. Please give me the strength to be humble. 🙌🏽🦾🙏🏼
Put others before myself and look for opportunities to utilize my God given gifts for His glory.
I need to be more outward in my profession of faith to the men in my life/church.
Put my fiancée and family first. To serve them and continue to pray for them.
To put my wife and family before myself.
Apologize to my wife and repair the relationship.
Sarah, Stella & Winnie
Look for ways to build up and encourage
Praying for the spiritual strength to overcome covid. Turning it over to the Lord. On earth as it is in heaven.
To be more attentive to my wife and her needs. Be slow to speak, slow to get angry, and quick to listen .
To be intentional in seeing the needs of others.
To pray for my unsaved children and grandchildren
Being a good father to my adult children.
I need to be more kinder when I’m frustrated with something or someone and not take it out on them. Instead of taking a moment to think about the actual situation and it’s REAL impact I just start blasting away. Lord please help me to remain more clam and REALLY think about things before I act. I find that when I wait a few minutes the current situation or problem is usually NOT that big of a deal and certainly NOT as big of a deal as it seemed just a few short minutes ago. I guess this is a long winded request for patience 🙂 God fill me up with Jesus’ patience today.
Well said Eric. Thank you for sharing
To have more compassion and understanding for men who live and think different than me.
I need to put my pride aside, be humble, and make myself obedient to His will and the opportunities He presents to me to serve others 🙌🏻
“In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
God’s power and blessings, and our strength as a man, always shines through more when we put ourselves second in line.
“Lord help me to be mindful and to do so.”
Eyes to see and words to speak truth and love into lives of those God has put around me
Don’t let the stress of the task at hand dictate how I react and treat others. Hit the pause button before speaking.
Start by serving those closest to me.
To see beyond my own frustrations with the actions and words of others and to see what God sees in those same people. To let what’s been deposited in me (the Holy Spirit) guide my actions and words and not my fleshly instincts.
Don’t back down, stand rock solid and unwavering
Focus more on the people around me and less on the tasks that distract me from them.
Put other people before myself and serve them to the fullest of my ability what’s God’s strength
Be an ambassador for Christ and welcome my Brothers with love.
I will serve others by ushering at our Good Friday service. May those attending feel the Holy Spirit tonight.
I need to know how to call men into true manhood in the culture and economy of 2021.
Put others first in a Godly manner.
Not allow people to do things for me because of my position because I can do them myself. When I do these things myself I tell others I love them for them not because they do things for me. Plus when they see someone of authority do tasks that they think should be below the position, they will then realize to serve is not relayed to role or status but simply a product of love and humility.
To stop criticizing my family particularly my one daughter for the choices she makes. Help her with her faith journey!
I need to be more humble and choose my words wisely before I speak so I don’t hurt the one I’m speaking to about you lord.
Find the gifts you have given me and know how you would have me to use them for you lord
To choose my words more carefully. So I can help others with love and care. Be more patient and understanding of their needs.
I need to get past myself with all of my earthly shortcomings.
Lord, show me how to use your gifts humbly today and always in the worship music ministry.
To have more patience with others, my employees
To humbly lead without the title.
To keep my TRUST in Jesus. Let him take the wheel at all times and go with his plan, direction and path for me on a daily basis.
Submit
Need to stop over thinking and calculating the risks.
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i need to not be rude and instead be kind
I need to put the past behind me. Someone I respected told me I was not worthy of ministry. I also need to shake off my doubt and fear and take a leap of faith. God, grant me courage and wisdom to follow you.
To serve my family
At work, I need to focus on putting the needs of others before my own needs. At the gym and in competitions, I need to celebrate the achievements of others more fully.
Help me go low with others at work instead of my needs
To be a witness at my new job.
I want to be humble before God and those around me and realize that I can’t fix everything and I do not control everything. I want to set an example of flowing with the water instead of always going upstream.
I need to serve those around me and not always focus on what I want or need
Humble myself and seek out and call my sister on Easter!
This is a good time to serve and my goal is to help as many people with the three T’s. Time, Talent and Treasure, whatever I can.
Let and allow me to use my strength to nonbelievers and lead them to you Father God?❤️❤️
Stop trying to be right all the time and look for a chance to let others win in certain situations
Do things without expecting recognition. Trying to be sneaky sometimes helps others feel the love of God more than knowing who did something.
Asking others what they need instead of just serving people the way I think they need to be served. With that in mind what do you guys need – how can I serve you best? What do you see in me that I might be blinded to?
What the Lord has taught me in these times is that fear is a selfish emotion. The best way to deal with it is to look outward to see where I can help others and show the light of Christ in the process. Sometimes it’s just a simple prayer but helps me look out instead of in.
Father God, please give me strength so that I may serve others needs before my own
Dear lord help me to be bold and give me discernment in the way I convey any message to the lost!
Pray for others/ intercession
I need to stand tall in confidence and compassion in order to serve others effectively.
I need to give up my pride
Keep my attitude in check. Look at others with the live of Christ in mind
As I have lived my life on the surface of this earth, experience has taught me something very unique which I recently told my kids- i.e. God is love and God is time ( aka patience.) One should always use love and patience in every hard decision that is to be made. The only time that strength is to be executed is if one has given the other party adequate warning to reverse their ways of thinking; even then, strength should be planned – it should be used for a short term purpose with a pathway that leads back to love.
No matter my experience in a situation, I first need to be humble and listen before I ever make a suggestion
Unconditional service with a joyful and humble heart- “get to” mentality rather than “have to” serve.
Yes truthbomb. My physical strength or intillect can shine in worldly methods. I’m going to be more inviting to those who I may think are not like me.
I definitely need greater strength at work, to humble myself and put the needs of my coworkers first. I tend to focus only on my responsibilities and tasks. I need to be less self centered and be more willing to serve others.
Be truthful with myself that it is not about me and give it to my Lord and Savior who has demonstrated true servant leadership.
Our ability to forgive, or our “Spiritual Strength,” is anchored in and measured by our level of ability to live out a “self-sacrificing” life style.
Very Good
I’ve been stuck as to next steps for my walk and ministry. So many distractions. I’m confident He will lead, even as I trust Him for direction.
Keeping in mind the words of Jesus: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). And, remembering, also, as Jesus says: A servant is not greater than his master (John 15:20). Continual reflection on these words of our Lord will help to bring me low while also assisting me with denying myself and casting away unrighteousness.
Very True
Same theme as past days but man up by being more other’s focused with my time and resources. Denying myself, picking up my cross daily, and following Jesus.
I need to man up and be more proactive in being there for others when there is an opportunity.
I need to serve my family by modeling strength and avoiding outbursts of fleshly frustration.
I am still not sure of how to go low, but I know one thing is to listen rather than speak.
I think to myself, that I would be like Peter cut off someone’s ear. They wouldn’t do it my way. I have to work real hard to stay in the moment. I as a believer, have been given the power to behave biblically.
To not often inject opinion about matters that I feel strongly about. To act out of gratefulness and intention to build up. Assume the best intention by those I love.
Thank you Jesus for taking up the cross and paid the price that I am suppose to pay.
As an athlete (former) I derived masculinity through athletic success. However, I love how Vince redefines it for us in the example of Jesus’s on the cross. Lord, give me spiritual masculinity, sight, and awareness for life!
I do ask, and will more so, offer any time or service to my neighbors that might relieve, even if a small way, any burden or chore that might assist them.
I need to reach out and extend a helping hand there is never a shortage of people needing help,and just prefer others before myself.
I need and pray for me to get out of the way and let Him do. To not get in my own head and to let God do what He does in order for me to help others.
It is very simple or it should be, I need to be able to forgive and move on. But it seems I am sometimes almost eager to hold a grudge and find fault when I know that I should have a forgiving heart as he has for me. God please lift me up to be gracious and find forgiveness for all in my heart and thank you for bring Robin out of destruction.
Right now I’m most concerned with my masculine presence in my home. In the face of disciplining and keeping everything moving in the right direction, I’m not as gentle and accessible as I would like to be (thinking of others). Help me, Lord, in this.
Give money,serve my wife by complimenting her more
Sharing moments of weakness with the guys of FC, showing the you (me) can own our sins or shortcomings to help use it as a building block, a stepping stone
Jesus, “The Word became flesh”, truly the man of faith. He continually modeled the true definition of manhood by His relationship with the Father. His whole heart, soul and mind focused on the Father. ” I can do nothing apart from the Father” or ” I do what I see My Father doing”. Best of all, Jesus told His disciples (and us), “You will do greater things than these”. Lord help me to grow quickly into that kind of faith and not for the reasons of outward appearance but for the intimate fellowship with you.
Strength to stay resolved in my decision to be bold.
Spiritual Humility in our service to ourself and others.
I will humble myself and put others ahead of me. Lord, keep me humble forever and keep us all safe in these trying times.
I’m making the effort to check in with people; from my grandkids and 7th grade guys from church all the way to the neighbors that are older than me and living alone. It’s interesting to me how few people have asked how my wife and I are doing, especially since we are in the more impacted age group. But reaching out to others is very “Jesus-like” and so I’m pleased to do it. To Vince’s point about how few good role models there are, I say Amen!
Always look for opportunities to serve my family and others.
I Need to listen to other men more closely when they are talking.
I need to go low and put my family’s needs ahead of my needs… ’nuff said!
Lord…please grant me the strength to be a visible role model as a man of God. I want to be viewed as a man that believes and acts in a way that will be pleasing to you.
Lord, may my dependence be in and on You alone. My I exhibit that behavior [strength] to others by my example. Amen
Heavenly Father, continue to give me strength during these difficult and sometimes long days. Help me to turn to you whenever I’m feeling depressed. To know that I am loved by you is all I need on these troubled days.
My time without grumbling
I need to get on the phone and call others today, letting them know you care for them Lord and that I care about them too.. be blessed brother Lewis!
I need to forgive my brother and remain focused on his eternal destiny.
I struggle with not being very good with tools or not being able to fix or build anything around the house; I want to echo Paul when he says by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not in vain. I want to focus more on the gifts I do have and be a light to others around me
I need to listen and value my wife’s opinions (including all others) rather than always believing my way is the best way. And I need to acknowledge and act upon the opportunities that God gives me rather than ignore them.
I need to lead through being a humble (not passive) servant. Let my actions show that I lead by example and out of an overflowing cup that is full of the love of Jesus.
By maintaining a commitment to being a follower of him and keeping focus on today’s meanings will help me retrain a successful well-being. My involvement with a positive daily routine will enable a successful future. Hard work, relaxation, and reaching out in a successful community with helping others and recieving beneficial advice from knowledgeable individuals allows me to grow in faith in a great plan as I follow his fantastic plan for me. Maintaining the great skills I have acquired to be used for the good of the cause today is beneficial to an excellent lifestyle and for this I am thankful.
To serve others, I need to embrace feedback; not resist in pride.
And do the dishes.
Pancake Robot song
I need to be humble and show compassion and genuine concern for all…..choosing to give love just as Jesus as loved me.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
It’s Good Friday and I don’t like that Good part. I get it but still don’t like it. I like to think of it more as Done Friday or Dodged a bullet Friday. The sacrifice, Passover and the angel of death are not good things to consider. Gods mercy is though but I don’t think Jesus wants me sitting around dwelling on this as a good thing. It’s a nasty thing that he atoned for and he has more greatness coming. I draw strength and conviction as well as giving from this place of his return and his strength. I am his servant and commanded by him and if he says serve the poor I will. If he says serve my family I will. If he says serve my church I will. May his will be done not mine.
Jeff, we watched Passion of the Christ for the first time last night. It is a nasty thing that was done to him to atone, pay the price, for all the nastiness I’ve done. Good that we are free from being nasty.
I need to be a better listener … I need to heard the needs of others and help fulfill those needs. I need to seek understanding before questioning.
I need to serve and Go Low today, by finding someone that may be lower than I on the totem pole and do an act of humility.
Today we remember how you humbled yourself, Lord, – stripped of all dignity while hanging to die on a cross. May I humbly serve others this entire Easter weekend… my family, neighbors, and all whom I can connect with remotely.
Heavenly Father, show me ways to humbly use the gifts you have given me and serve others.
Lord give me the strength to believe in faith openly, I grew up thinking /believing it wasn’t “cool” or “necessary” but I know now that it is both.
I have spent the better part of my life ‘trying to look good’ – a year ago God said no more. I have had the best year of my spiritual life ‘going low’. It is often said that you truly don’t appreciate grace until you truly need it – very true. It is now so much easier to view others without judgement, build others up, put others first and extend grace. Thank you God for this change in my life.
To continue to serve others in helping what ever it is that they need, been doing this for a while I pray that I am able to continue this .
I need to always put others before myself..The Bible tells me in Philippians chapter 2, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself
I need to be a leader that will lead with compassion. Be someone that reflects the person and works of Jesus Christ, not someone that reflects the ideas and models of this sinful world.
At the start of every podcast, pray for humility and submission. Let the light shine on God and not on me.
Masculinity is so hard to get to in today’s society. I see this in our basketball guys. They don’t know what to make of it. They are conflicted between what they get in chapel and what they get from the world. I pray that I can be an example of Godly masculinity. They are always watching
Be more open in front of my non believing friends with my ministry. While I know that they know that I am a Christian I still feel uncomfortable going to Church on the weekends when they come up to visit. Instead I miss the service and stay at home with them and feel badly as my heart knows I should be in Church. And, It’s NOT like they wouldn’t understand and be OK with it but instead “I” choose to just “go along” with them and stay home. So, Lord give me the strength to wear my faith on my sleeve for everyone to see and not be afraid of what they might think.
Speak less; listen more!
It hit me this morning that one reason I don’t regularly see godly, masculine strength is because I don’t regularly look for it. While not something I think I can always do, I am going to try to observe other men, that I’m familiar with their walk, and how they go about things as most godly men I know don’t call attention to themselves so observation may be the only way I ever see.
Wes – such a good point to look around just with a different set of lenses.
I need to use my spiritual gifts and the Fruits of the Spirit to serve and lead my family, friends and co-workers along our spiritual journeys.
I believe that self is one of the biggest obstacles that we men face. To put others first ahead of self is a challenge but one that we must proclaim and one that we must act on. Thank you Jesus for showing us to how to proclaim that trait.
For giving others for they don’t know what they are doing.
Put others before me and pray for everything but more so for their spiritual life in Jesus.
I really struggle with forgiveness. I know, the foundation of Christianity, right? But so many times I feel like God owes me ________ and if he or someone else doesn’t give me what I deserve, I kick and scream like a baby. My upbringing has instilled in me a very transactional relationship framework in my mind, and that goes for me and God, too. It blinds me to my faults and raises very unrealistic expectations in my life. Maybe after all these years I’m still not used to living in a broken world. Grace has always been a struggle for me. Just ask my wife!
I need to go low with my wife at times when she insists she’s right, I’m wrong, and it just doesn’t matter to our relationship. She needs to hear she is heard and valued. I need to be more sensitive to her.
Lord help me admit when I am wrong and when I need your help. Help me help my brothers in humility and with grace.
During my time of working at home (especially), I need to find more ways to specifically serve and bless my wife! One of those is that I will get out of my chair and work at least 15 minutes a day on one organizing/cleaning job every day for the rest of this month.
I need to continually keep my eyes and heart on Jesus
Be humble and know that it is alright to be 2nd, so I can put others before me.
Roman’s 3:23
Father with social distancing please guide me today to be a servant to others. Let them see you in me.
Father give me the knowledge and courage to put people before me and to truly love like you love. Help me to be your faithful servant.
Try to put others first as jesus did,when listening to what they say.Dont be judgemental in anything they do
Let God fix people, stop trying to fix people. Start praying for people.
When I see disaster, in my mind, I’m a first responder. But in reality, I’m much better at being in the background, doing God’s service, with love and devotion.
Love this thought: “Strength is to possess the inner power to submit to God’s sovereign plan while living through injustice while remaining focused on the eternal destiny of others. …. this is Christ’s definition of strength.” It takes strength to have this kind of strength.
Strength to the physical end. Relentless is our Lord and Savior. Praise Him as this day brings back the reality of the Way, the Truth and the Life. God’s will today men. Be strong in The Lord.
Jesus was always putting his father’s will first (spiritual) and the needs of others (physical) before his. I need to humble myself and put the needs of others first.
I need not judge other for there is only one true judge. That is God. I will treat the youth that are incarcerated with respect and minister to them by setting an example they probably never had.
I need to serve Rose by getting her connected to our online church service.
I need to realize that I’m not the most important one in my life.
Vulnerability has always been hard for me, except with my wife who knows me like I know myself, and with God. But with others, I often yield to the desire to seem strong, in charge, and all together. Lord Jesus, make me open and transparent.
Proclaim my faith in Christ Jesus ,and share with others this faith . Spread the Gospel .
Going to just step back and listen……………………..and continue to listen to those in need in their search for Jesus and then put my Faith to the test by helping whoever it might be to help them.
These words really penetrate my heart on Good Friday. To think of Jesus saying “Father, forgive them” is quite humbling as I think how He gave himself for me. I desire to get low and love others today as Jesus modeled for me! What an amazing God that we worship and serve!
Lord, help me be better able to be wrong and feel disrespected and not act out when these feelings come
Jesus strength is always putting his father’s will above his. Always seeking to please God and denying himself. God I need this strength to overcome my flesh and to seek the will of the Holy Spirit.
One thing I need to do is become more vulnerable and open to other people.
Lord, I pray that you can work through me and allow me to be fully myself with others. I also pray that you lead me to continue living a life free of anxiety, free of worry. I have been living my life so good recently, and I hope to continue this feeling and happiness through the rest of my life. Amen.
To serve others first ! To know what the needs are to serve – to be Jesus to others!
To open my heart to God as I do to others.
I need to humble myself and serve even those who are I don’t necessarily care to be around and sometimes even aggravate me.
I need to out serve everyone in my home. I need to do this with intentionality and with the fruits of the spirit. Do it without them knowing I’m doing it..
To “go low” I will tithe time to others. And I thank God for the forgiving heart that He has made in me.
Lord guide my words and actions today as I reach out to my Brothers.
To serve humbly.