Mantle Devotionals

Happy Monday, gentlemen! Today we remember all the men and women who gave their life to protect our freedoms. May we never take that for granted. It got me thinking about how we are all called to a mission. A mission to go out and make disciples. To share the Love of Jesus with all those around us. Our specific missions might look different, but one thing is certain - the Lord promises to guide us along the right paths. Those paths just often look different than we expected. “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Some of us may have experienced what it’s like to step into the uncomfortable and fully trust the Lord. Others of us have been reluctant to fully trust the Lord, because we are scared of the outcomes. My guess is that we’ve all at times submitted to our will and not God’s. We’ve tried to build our Kingdom and not advance His. But the truth is, His plans will always be better than anything we can humanly imagine, so trust in him. It’s time we as Men stand boldly for Jesus, proclaim His name, and fully surrender to Him as our Lord and Savior! Have a safe Memorial Day! Men, I’m proud of you. Keep showing up and striving to follow after the Lord boldly! Challenge: Have an intentional conversation with someone today about how God has moved in your life. Song: The King is in the Room - Phil Wickham

Happy Monday, gentlemen! I hope you had a great weekend. Let’s continue to lead and love well. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5-6 NIV No matter what life looks like for you right now, we are called to fully trust the Lord. Whether life has been full of wins lately, or maybe you just feel stuck. Be encouraged by God’s Word. Press in. Trust Him. Do not try to do this on your own. Often times things don’t make sense to us or we constantly compare ourselves to worldly measures of “success”. This week make it a habit to look for God moving in the “even-if”moments. Even if….the job search is taking longer than you thought, the door closes you were expecting to open, your anxiety is flaring up. He hears the cries of your heart and he is still good. Trust Him in all things. Fully surrender and submit to Jesus. Men, I’m proud of you! Keep striving to become more like Jesus. Keep showing up. Keep pointing all those around you to Jesus. Challenge: Write down how you see God working in a challenging situation in your life. Pray over it. Song: Even If - MercyMe Prayer requests - Respond directly to this text, so our Team can be praying over them.

Happy Monday! Gentlemen, let’s commit and fully surrender to following Jesus. Let’s not sit on the sidelines. Let’s actively and boldly proclaim the name of Jesus. Let’s not sit passively as our families and kids be led into the patterns of this world. It’s our job to stand firm, be courageous, and lead our families to Jesus! He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ We can’t just go through the motions. If we are going to lead and love well, we must do it fully engaged, committed, and connected to the Jesus. We must pursue Jesus with everything we have. Are we as men abiding in the Lord, or are we trying to do it our way? How’s your connection with Jesus? Keep showing up! Keep leading your families towards Jesus. Keep striving to honor the Lord with all you do. I’m proud of you. You’re loved. Challenge: Pray out loud with your family this week. Song: Resurrection Story - Phil Wickham

Happy Monday, gentlemen! Let’s continue to lead and love well. That begins with being intentional to honor the Lord in everything we do! “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭45‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Men, you are loved. Let’s continue to strive to become more like Jesus - honoring him with a pure heart, captive thoughts, and actions that point straight to Him. It’s important we surround ourselves with wise counsel, other men who can point us to Biblical truth. Men who can challenge us, hold us accountable, and men who can encourage us to stay out of our own heads (a challenge for us all). Gentlemen, you are loved. I’m proud of you. Please know that you’re doing a good job. Keep leaning in and trusting the Lord, and give yourself some grace. Jesus paid it all. Challenge: Have an intentional conversation with another guy this week about Jesus. Song: Isn’t He Good - Phil Wickham

Happy Monday, gentlemen! Let’s continue to lead and love well. The Lord has continually put the word ‘intentional’ on my heart lately, so I wanted to share it with you. Are we intentionally spending time with the Lord? Are we intentionally leading our families to Jesus? Are we intentionally striving to honor the Lord in our careers? Are we looking for ways to intentionally connect with other guys to strengthen our walk with Jesus? “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Intentionality doesn’t just happen. It’s a conscious choice to seek the Lord first in all that we do. Men, keep showing up! Keep leading well. Keep trusting the Lord. I’m proud of you! Challenge: Make (3) intentional choices this week that will draw you and your family closer to Jesus. Song: Hallelujah Anyway - Rend Collective

Happy Monday, gentlemen! Let’s continue to lead and love well. This week I encourage you to be still and lean into the Lord. The most dangerous 3 words a man can ever say are “I got this!”. The reality is we don’t have anything without Jesus. “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ You must first surrender to Jesus. Full surrender. All in - holding nothing back. Draw near to him. Be close to him. That begins by spending intentional time with him and accepting him as your Lord and Savior. Men, I’m proud of you. Keep showing up. Keep leading well. Keep honoring the Lord with all you do, and strive to fully surrender your life to Jesus. We need Him. Challenge: Take one active step to become closer to the Lord this week. Pray, fast, open God’s word…be intentional with it. Song: Close - We Are Messengers

Happy Monday, gentleman! Let’s continue to lead and love well. As men, it’s so easy to want full control. Control over every situation. Control over outcomes. Control over it all. The reality is we are not in control, so why do we live like we are? This week I want you to reflect on this verse and spend some time praying over it. Ask the Lord to help you trust in Him and fully surrender your life to him. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you step by step, every moment of every day. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Challenge: Write down (1) area of your life or specific situation that you need to turn over to the Lord, fully surrendered, and trust in him. Song: Good Plans - Red Rocks Worship

Happy Monday, gentlemen! He is Risen! I hope you had a great Easter with family and friends. Let’s continue to share the good news of Jesus! “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Jesus wants a personal relationship with each and every one of us, walking in step with the Holy Spirit day in and day out. Let’s not forget to share the good news of Jesus with all those around us including our kids and families. This isn’t about celebrating Jesus one time a year on a Holiday, but boldly proclaiming that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life - always. I’m proud of you! Keep showing up. Keep leading well. Keep seeking the Lord first in all that you do! Have a great week! Challenge: Pray out loud over your family this week. Song: No Body - Elevation Worship

Happy Monday, gentlemen! Let’s continue to lead and love well. That begins by centering our homes around the Lord. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ It’s easy to get caught up in the Easter festivities this weekend, but we must not lose sight of the most important moment of all - God sending his one and only Son to die on the cross for our sins. Death could not hold Him. The tomb is empty! He is Risen! Jesus is alive! Men - I’m proud of you. Keep showing up. Let’s show all those around us what a relationship with Jesus looks like. That begins inside our own homes. Challenge: Take your family to Church this Easter Sunday. Show them that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Song: Resurrection Power - Chris Tomlin

Happy Monday, Gentleman! Let’s continue to lead and love well. Jesus paid it all, and all to him we owe. There’s no amount of good works or good deeds that can earn our Salvation. Jesus paid the ultimate price and it’s a free gift. We just have to accept the free gift of Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Nothing can separate us from the Love of Jesus Christ. God’s grace is sufficient. Through God’s grace we are reminded that, no matter how far we’ve drifted away, he welcomes us with open arms. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Men, I’m proud of you. Keep showing up. Keep working hard. Keep seeking the Lord first in all that you do. Remember, no matter what your past looks like or what you’re struggling with now, nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus. Challenge: Spend 5 minutes this week praying in a quiet place. Thank the Lord for his grace and to help you take your thoughts captive. Song: Your Grace is Enough - Chris Tomlin

Happy Monday, gentlemen! Let’s continue to lead and love well. That begins by knowing who we are as men. If you hear nothing else this week, know that your identity is found in Jesus Christ alone. Nothing else. You are a Child of God. You’re not defined by a job title, how well your business is doing, or even how much money you’ve got saved up. Those are all worldly parameters for defining success, but when they fade (and they will) they leave us unfulfilled and lacking identity. “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.” Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ I’m proud of you! Keep showing up. Keep leading well. Keep seeking the Lord first. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Ask the Holy Spirit to walk with you step in step. You are God’s handiwork. Challenge: Honestly evaluate and write down where you’re finding your identity. Pray over it and ask the Lord to help you center your life around him not worldly things. Song: Cornerstone - Hillsong Worship

Happy Monday, gentlemen! Let’s continue to lead and love well. All of us are leading something. Whether you’re leading your wife, your kids, or a team of people at work - How do we as men lead well? We must first ask ourselves ‘How do we love well?’ “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-‭8‬a ‭NIV‬‬ “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ God shows us the example of what perfect love looks like by sending his one and only Son to die for our sins. By loving well, we show all those around us including the people we lead, what true love looks like. So, how do we lead well? We love well. We love like Jesus loves. I’m proud of you, men! Keep showing up. Keeping standing firm. Have a great week! Challenge: Go out of your way this week to show God’s love to someone. Song of the week: How He Loves - David Crowder Band

Happy Monday, gentlemen! Let’s continue to lead and love well. First, we must know how much God loves us. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬ If you hear nothing else this week, remember that God loves you so much he sent his one and only Son to die on the cross for your sins, while you were still a sinner. He loves you that much. He wants a personal relationship with you that much. Jesus sets us free. If you’re still trying to do it on your own, it was never designed to be that way. Accept the free gift of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Come to him just as you are. Make him Lord and Savior of your life. There’s nothing you have done that separates you from the love of Jesus. There’s no good works that you can do to earn his love, because it’s a free gift. His grace is so deep and wide that it’s hard to humanly fathom. Keep showing up. Keep loving well. Keep striving to draw closer to Jesus. I’m proud of you, men. You are loved. Challenge: Spend 5 minutes of quiet time with the Lord this week. Work to build on that. Song: It Really Is Amazing Grace - Phil Wickham, Crowder

Happy Monday, gentleman! Let’s continue to lead and love well. “19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. “James 1:19-20 NIV In today’s world, it’s so easy to meet anger with anger. It’s too easy to take our frustrations out on the person who cut us off in traffic or carry bitterness towards someone who wronged us just to “get even”. That is not at all what God desires for us. As men, let’s lead with the example Christ set for us. Let’s resist the temptation to become angry. Let’s reject the urge to act out of anger, but rather do everything in love. We should strive to lead with Christ-like actions and set an example for all those around us to recognize what is looks like to be slow to anger. Men, I’m proud of you. Keep showing up. Keep leading well. Keep striving to be the men that God has called you to be. Have a great week! Challenge: Be slow to anger. Make a conscious choice this week to choice joy and peace, over making a situation worse through anger. Song: Lord, I Need You – Matt Maher

Happy Monday, Gentlemen! Let’s continue to lead and love well.  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 I don’t know about you, but when people ask me how I’m doing, if I was being honest, my standard answer would be “tired”. Whether it’s physically tired from a busy schedule, emotionally tired from trying to be present at work and to my family, or mentally tired from the daily weight of decisions, I’m just plain tired. But Jesus tells us life doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, He says that for His followers, it shouldn’t be. What I’ve found to be true about myself is that I pretty much always believe in Jesus, but I don’t always believe Jesus. It’s one thing to believe in a historical figure who died for you and rose from the dead, it’s another thing to chose to believe that what He says is true. Jesus promises those that choose to follow Him and His ways, to work in His strength instead of our own, that our default is not “tired” but “rested”. So what do you need to hand over to Him this week so that you can experience the rest that He promises? Song of the week: Alone In It by Metro Collective Worship This week’s devotional written by: Tyler VanWey

Happy Monday, gentleman! Let’s continue to lead and love well! As we step into the new week let’s show the love of Jesus to all those around us. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Let’s make a conscious effort to be servant leaders this week. Let’s put the needs of others before ourselves. Let’s serve our wives, children, and communities well, by sharing the love of Jesus. Remember - it’s not about what’s in it for us! It’s self sacrificial love. Men, let’s continue to answer the call by leading with love. Let’s do everything in love, be slow to anger, and just look for ways to serve others. Let’s model our leadership after Jesus! You got this. Men - I’m proud of you! Keep showing up. Keep leading well. Keep drawing closer to Jesus! Have a great week! Challenge - serve your wife, family and kids this week individually by doing something unexpected, without being asked. Song: Yes I Will - Vertical Worship

Happy Monday, gentlemen! I hope everyone had a great weekend and you got to slow down for a bit. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV The challenge I have for all of us is that we lead more courageously and have complete trust in the Lord. God is bigger than anything life throws at us, but we have to fully surrender it to him and fully surrender our lives to him. We serve a big God that can do the impossible. You were never meant to do it on your own. God is bigger than that situation at work. God is bigger than that financial strain. God is bigger than that relationship problem. God is bigger than infertility. God is bigger than that mental battle. God is bigger than that addiction. God is bigger than job search. God IS bigger. God loves you and cares for you. It’s time us men continue to show those around us “I don’t got this”, but we know who does. I encourage us all to fully surrender every aspect of our lives to the Lord. I’m proud of you! Keep showing up! Keep working hard! Keep leading your families well! Have a great week! Song of the week: Strong Enough - Matthew West