Leave It Behind

SPEAKER_00 0:01

Gentlemen, every day is a battle. A battle for your faith, your family, and your purpose. The men who stand strong don't prepare when the battle arrives. They prepare before it begins. Welcome to the men's morning devotional. Let's get into God's word. It's time to man up.

SPEAKER_01 0:26

Hey man, welcome back to our men's morning devotional. I'm Danny Woodgoes. And this week we've been talking about wisdom, receiving correction, staying teachable. And today we're talking about something every man has to face at some point, knowing what we need to leave behind so we can move forward. And let me encourage you, share this with a brother. I'm sure there's someone in your life that needs to hear this. Here's your man at Bowman. You can't walk into your future while holding on to your past. Proverbs chapter 9, verse 6 says, Live your simple ways and you will live. Walk in the way of insight. This verse is simple, but it's a challenge. Live your simple ways and you will live. Walk in the way of insight. Solomon is telling us that if we want to walk in wisdom, there are some things we have to be willing to leave behind. And that's not easy. And when I think about that, I think about Jesus calling his disciples. When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, they had a decision to make. Or they could leave their nets and follow Jesus. And they chose to follow. Jesus didn't just invite them to add him to the life they already had. He called them into a completely new way of living. And I think that's something we need to understand. Following Jesus isn't just about adding church to our schedule or adding Bible reading to our morning. Sometimes following Jesus means leaving something behind. Maybe it's an old habit, an unhealthy relationship, a certain attitude, a secret sin, the need for people's approval, or simply the way you've been always doing things. There are things that might feel normal to us but are keeping us from becoming the man God is calling us to be. And sometimes we know exactly what those things are, but we keep making excuses. We say, oh no, that's just how I am, or I've always been like this, or I'll deal with this later. But wisdom says, leave it behind. Jesus showed us what that looks like. He didn't allow his past, his circumstances, or other people's expectations to control his obedience to the Father. He kept moving toward what God had called him to do. And man, there are things in your past that God has already forgiven, but you may still be carrying them. There are mistakes you've made, failures you've experienced, and things you wish you could change. But following Jesus means we don't have to live trapped by who we used to be. Paul says in Philippians 3, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal. That's the picture of a man who is moving forward. You can't change yesterday, but you can decide what you do today. You can't change the person you were, but through Jesus, you can become someone new. So ask yourself today what am I holding on to that God is asking me to leave behind? Because sometimes the next step of wisdom isn't learning something new, it is letting something go. Jesus is calling us forward, He's calling you forward. And if we're going to follow Him, we have to be willing to put down whatever is keeping us from walking with Him. Leave it behind and keep walking. Here's your man of challenge. Ask God today. What is one thing I need to leave behind? When He shows you, don't make an excuse. Take one practical step today to let it go and move forward with Him. Let's pray. Father, show us what we need to leave behind, God. Give us the courage to let go of habits and any other things that are keeping us from moving forward. We want a future with you. We want to step into the promised land and all the things you have in store for us. So give us the wisdom, the boldness, and the courage we need to take the next step with you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SPEAKER_00 5:39

All right, gentlemen, you've heard God's word. Now go live it. Lead well, stand strong, honor God in everything you do. Share this devotional with another brother. Remember, every day is another opportunity to man up.