I had the privilege of attending the SoCal Men’s Conference in Anaheim earlier this week. Committed to strengthening and building men as God designed and created them to be. Men ought to be faithful and honorable husbands, fathers, godly models in our culture, and lovers of God.
It was an eight-hour event that hosted 7,000 men at the Anaheim convention center in California, and had an online viewing audience of 100,000. The following speakers came from different churches across the State and country; John Randall, Art Reyes, Barry Stagner, Raul Ries, Josh Thompson, Al Pittman, Ken Graves, and Jack Hibbs.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
I was blessed and encouraged by the wisdom of these men. Detailing their experience of addiction, abuse, temptation, surviving an abortion, pastorship, fatherhood, and living life as followers of Jesus.
As I reflect upon the conference, there is no question that our culture is missing godly and courageous men. As one speaker referenced, men need to be men.
Men, it’s okay to be masculine, it’s okay to be competitive, and it’s okay to exert leadership over marriage and family because this is what Jesus did for the Church. Jesus leads by example, and godly men should follow. Eph 5:25-30 Jesus loves the church and gave His life for it.
Institutions continue stigmatizing men, considering masculinity toxic and a threat to culture and women - and we see the effects.
Our media continues to highlight and praise unnatural femininity in men. Men behaving like women, men competing in women's sports and using women's locker rooms - And most recently, Ulta Beauty cosmetics conversation between David Lopez and Dylan Mulvaney. Two biological men dressed and acting like a woman speaking about “girlhood.”
To make matters worse, you can watch President Biden’s interview with Dylan Mulvaney. Biblical and godly men are to be protectors of women, children, and families. Instead, what we are watching in this video is a president affirming women's deconstruction and humiliation. Cultures' new view of femininity is in biological men behaving as women.
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12
A biological man can act like a woman, dress like a woman, and participate in hormone treatments and surgical procedures - but he will still be a biological man.
Testosterone levels are different in every biological male, and the physical outcome of such will vary from man to man. Some with greater muscle mass and some less, some with thicker bones and a deeper voice and some thinner bones and a higher voice. But the fact remains the same; they are all biological males created in the image of God.
One of the speakers at the conference challenged the men and said, “don’t use the word feelings.” His address was a bit comical, but he made an excellent point. Men are falling victim to feelings and not truth.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.1 Peter 5:8-9
In fear, Elijah fell victim to his feelings and hid in a cave (1 Kings 19:1-21). Feelings in themselves are not necessarily wrong. Feelings are a state of emotion that can cause a reaction. In the case of Elijah, his feelings caused him to behave in fear.
On the other hand, Joshua allowed his feelings to cause him to lose courage - which is why God said, “be of good courage.” (Joshua 1:1-18)
If Elijah had allowed his feelings to control him, he would have died in the cave. Never stepping out and fearful of being killed only to be remembered as a coward.
Had Joshua allowed his feelings of discouragement to control him - he and all the Israelites would have never entered the promised land and died in the desert.
Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Joshua 1:6
Men, it’s time to fight through the struggle - no matter how difficult. But remember, Jesus defeated the enemy on the cross two thousand years ago.
Our battle is living a Spirit-filled, sanctified life; reading His Word daily, staying faithful in His service, and being courageously honorable men of God.
So, as pastor Raul Ries said in the conference of 7,000 men, If you don’t know Jesus, don’t be a sissy and accept Him as your Lord and Savior now!
If you know Jesus, but can’t get over that last hump of discouragement, don't be a sissy and trust God.
God bless you, brothers! And sisters pray for us men.
SoCal Men's Conference - playlist
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