87/365: Defending Your Tribe

Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. ~ Proverbs 14:26

We are fortified by God and become the walls which defend our family, our community, and our culture.

Do you have children? Give them the gift of hope in Christ. No children? Be a spiritual father for those children who live without dads.

It's our job as Christian men to learn to properly fear God and God alone, then stand firm and true like a fortress. This is what points your family and community toward God's grace and strength.

GO DEEPER: Matthew 25: 31-46

NEXT STEP: Are you a fortress for others? Are your walls foritifed?

Paul

on 03/29/2023 at 06:09 PM

I just found this app and so glad to see such an amazing fellowship of men. I struggle everyday too. I guess that’s ultimately the human condition and we cannot expect to be perfect. I constantly get upset with my girlfriend for not cleaning up her messes and I try to do better. I heard something on a podcast one day that gave me perspective. They said “don’t let roommate issues affect your relationship “. I needed to hear that because it’s true. The reason I love my girlfriend supersedes all of her faults. I believe God will continue to pave the path for us and continue to grow in our hearts.

Jay Deming

on 03/29/2023 at 03:44 AM

My father was and still a bad man. He drank all the time when he wasn’t at work. He would always have to many and then want to fight. So I didn’t have a good role model growing up. My parents wasn’t church people. It would be Easter or christmas would be the only times we would go. It wasn’t until I married my 2nd wife that I knew what a really family was like. Her family was alway in church and then I started going. Now my wife and I are helping rise our 1st grandchild. Now I’m trying harder then even to get right and be the Godly man that my family needs.

Kevin Miller

on 03/28/2023 at 07:12 PM

My dad was an alcoholic and not a good example of how to be a dad. I’m trying to do better with my family now. They are supportive but I also need to keep relying on God.

on 03/28/2023 at 04:57 PM

Robert Springer. Our family is praying for your wife, you and the blessed baby boy about to arrive. The first time you see that little guy your definition of love will change forever!!❤️🙏. God bless your family!!

Nick W

on 03/28/2023 at 04:56 PM

Praying for you brothers. Michael, I also had almost no relationship with my father. What he demonstrated for me was a lot of "how NOT to...": be a pastor, be a Father, be a husband, or be a man. I haven't even heard from him in years. I'm also trying to find my way as a father, trying to follow God's example of how he patiently loves us. There are some powerful movies that I would encourage you to check out (you can probably request them from your local library of you don't mind waiting): Courageous, and Show Me The Father.

Ethan Rogers

on 03/28/2023 at 03:55 PM

Tommy, I am going through the same thing with my wife, I do most everything to keep the house in order and working while she has just laid it down and ignores me. Frustrating, I will pray for you both, as I pray for my wife every day. I am trying to be an example of how God is transforming my heart and my will. I share what has been so freely given to me with others who are suffering. Jesus and His purpose have enabled me to become a more compassionate, caring, and loving man to the whole world. I am far from perfect, but progress is evolving me from a spiritually sick human being to someone who can be a beacon for anyone in need. Thank You Lord, the God of all understanding.

Scott Beebe

on 03/28/2023 at 03:38 PM

I have a 13-year-old daughter with Down syndrome and she has been incontinent for a while now. My wife refuses to make her wear an adult diaper because she doesn’t want to degrade her. Nor would Ivy wear them anyway. She is very stubborn at times. Therefore some of our couches, my car interior, etc., smells like urine at times. I have to be more patient and accepting of her disability and my wife’s way of being a mother. Please pray for me brothers because I need a Christ-like heart in order to be a positive fortress toward my family.

Scott Beebe

on 03/28/2023 at 03:27 PM

Tommy W. Thank you for your honesty and transparency. You hang in there my brother!!!

Tim Debronsky

on 03/28/2023 at 03:15 PM

Lord help me to fear you and you alone. Help me to be a fortress of strength for my wife, kids,

Tim Debronsky

on 03/28/2023 at 03:13 PM

Lord help me to fear you

Tommy Williamson

on 03/28/2023 at 02:58 PM

I wish I knew 30 years ago what I know now about being a husband and father. There have been so many mistakes made. So many times that I have been an utter failure at one or the other and even many both at the same time. Now I am usually sitting on the living room in my recliner longing we could be a family tight knit family but my wife sits not out here with me but in the bedroom doing her thing most of the time and our newly declared trans daughter sits up in his attack space where I have to ask permission to even enter (which is generally denied). Much of the time it feels like we are three strangers trying to live in the space and I am the odd man out.

Ashley Jarvis

on 03/28/2023 at 02:40 PM

As for me and my home, we will fear only the Lord… I love this fortress visual, to be a safe haven for our loved ones as they learn to be their own fortress in a World ran by fear. The devil himself was given rule over the world, while God forever rules inside of each of us who believe. Craig Groeschel does an amazing job in his book “Winning the War in Your Mind” describing the significance of being a fortress. You must first seek out any fears and rid yourself of them, by shining the truth of Gods promises on them. As Brandon said, this process is done privately, but the effect can be seen and felt by all those near and dear to you. A Godly man cannot help but give off a feeling of security, safety, and assurance to those around him. A safe place to bring your fears to, and together he will show you how to take them to the feet of Christ. I have been blessed to remember a few men in my life that lived in this way, with a presence that put off a feeling of calm and assurance that everything would be okay. I pray that God continue to cultivate me, and that all those I love recognize this power that crushes fear is free to them as well. That with God, nothing can penetrate our fortresses, amen 🙏🏻

Boyce Moses

on 03/28/2023 at 02:02 PM

A simple rule I try to follow is always be kind. We never know what others are going through, so be kind. Many times just a kind word and/or a smile can mean the world to someone else. Love you Jesus! ❤️💜💙💚

Brandon Pembleton

on 03/28/2023 at 02:02 PM

God keep me humble and help me to be an example of what turning your life over to You can look like. So I may be a beacon for my kids and anyone else who meets me. That they may see the wonders of what you did in my life to change me and grow me. So a seed of hope may be planted. Help me to always remember You God are the reason I changed and that turning my will and my life over to Your care is the eternal stability I have always reached for. Thank you God for cultivating the holy spirit within me and tuning me into your holy frequency. I am blessed and may your blessings and hope radiate from me in all seasons, good and especially bad. I love you God amen 🙏

Greg Arnold (Admin)

on 03/28/2023 at 01:59 PM

The formula for being a dad / spiritual father: Love by showing interest, concern, and compassion for others. Make decisions based on Christ’s teaching and example. Be present - for their sake vs. your own. We each get to decide how we will fill our role. Choose the path of Christ - establish your own legacy… after all, your children and those you mentor are looking to you right now - in the present.👍🙏

tadd man

on 03/28/2023 at 01:42 PM

A powerful Proverb today. And I had to read it twice.

Jeffrey Pfliegier

on 03/28/2023 at 01:25 PM

I think we are just human beings trying to recover from being human.

Robert Springer

on 03/28/2023 at 01:04 PM

Pray for me and my family as we welcome our first child into the world. My wife and I are having a baby boy. Pray over our family and that we will train him in the way of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tim

on 03/28/2023 at 12:33 PM

I feel I’m still being built. At times I feel like the building process is moving at good pace and at times I feel like the building has stopped. I’m very intentional on spending time in the bible and devotion and prayer and really cherish that time but lately I it feels something needs to be added.

michael f vinning

on 03/28/2023 at 12:31 PM

I have kids but honestly my relationship with my dad was pretty much non existent, I didn’t learn how a father should interact with his son. I’m so unprepared to father! I’m doing a decent job but know I fall short in so many areas! I try to be honest with my son about my shortcomings so at least he knows that I love him and I’m trying just never got the training or example I needed to be able to pass down to him.

Robert McFaddin

on 03/28/2023 at 11:52 AM

I want to be that fortress. I’m praying that God will live in me and through me so I can be. I know He is at work in my life.

87/365: Defending Your Tribe

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