This is just a quick compilation of verses for men that I see as good guides to my current faith walk. We are living in times of political, social, and global turmoil. Yet, these aren’t issues that were foreign to the men of the early church. These are issues, born of sinful man that have claimed lives and souls since the bite into the fruit from the tree in the midst of the garden (Genesis 2:2-3). For this reason, the following are verses I find helpful in these times as a man, as a husband, and as a father.

“I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made for all men; for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity. This is good and acceptable in the eyes of our Saviour; who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-4

All men. Not all “good” men. Not “all men you find acceptable”. The reason, God wants us to pray for the grace, mercy, and salvation of those who have not yet received Him, especially those in high places. Truly though, I struggle with this. I must remember though, that the forgiveness of my sins is not greater than the forgiveness of any others’ sins. For all all have come short, left needing Christ’s gift of salvation to be United in relationship with God.

“My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.” – Proverbs 1:8-10

This is not the only place in the Bible in which it is written for us to obey our parents. I specifically like the context of this proverb about obeying parents and how it ends in verse ten concerning avoiding the encouragement to sin. For as Paul wrote, the wages of sin is death! (Romans 6:23)

“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Yours and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” – Joel 2:28

God’s promise through the prophet Joel of pouring out His Spirit on all flesh came to pass in the book of Acts in the New Testament, as His Spirit lit the flame of the early church. He has called all of us, to preach the Good News, proclaim the deity of Jesus as Messiah, and be used as vessels to all peoples for Him. Guard your hearts and minds. Raise your children to be sons and daughters of the Living God!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” – John 1:1-2

It’s amazing how such a simple two sentences packs in so much truth and proclaims so easily the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. It’s a reference to Jesus being present at the beginning of time, a reference to the Spirit of God as it is written, “And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2), and a reference to God the Father to complete the trinity when it references to monotheistic God of the Hebrews by saying, “He was in the beginning with God.” There’s a lot there to unpack, but a very simple verse to remember the power and glory of our creator.

“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in Him will I trust.”” – Psalm 91:2

I learned this verse via a worship song as a child and it has always stuck with me. Even though I spent the great majority of my life thus far living in sin, lukewarm to Christ as my Savior, this verse always stuck and gave me comfort in times of need. This verse in the book of Psalm is believed to have been one of the verses written by Moses. Sometimes when I think about the difficulties in my life and circumstances, I try to compare them to the peril Moses experienced leading God’s people. If God favored Moses and led him through those trials, what then shall I be afraid of?

May God bless you all this Easter weekend as we celebrate that our Lord is risen, and very much ALIVE!!!