Keep Walking

When an angry crowd wanted Jesus dead, He didn't panic, beg, or change His message. He just kept walking. Could you?

Danny Bourgos continues our journey through Proverbs with a look at what it means to stay on the path when everything is trying to knock you off it. Careers, money, relationships, social media, other people's opinions, your own desires — the pulls come from every direction. This episode points to the ultimate example of a man who never let circumstances decide His direction: Jesus, who knew who He was, who had sent Him, and where He was going, no matter what stood in the way.

You can't control what stands in your way, but you can control whether you keep walking. Jesus stayed the course not because His life was easy, but because He knew where He was going. That's the kind of man we're called to be: one who doesn't change his values depending on who's in the room, doesn't walk away from God when life gets hard, and keeps his eyes fixed on the Father rather than the crowd.

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 4:11–13

Your Daily Man-Up Challenge 

Identify one thing that has been trying to knock you off your path, and bring it to God.

NEW TO THE MEN’S MORNING DEVOTIONAL? 

Welcome!

The Men's Morning Devotional is a podcast to help you man up in every way - in your faith, your family and your work - by spending a few minutes getting into the Word before you face the world. 

Every weekday, you'll get a challenge and encouragement from Scripture that speaks to the pressures you carry as a husband, a father, and a leader. You’ll get truth you can take straight into your day. And you’ll know you’re not standing alone, because men everywhere are waking up to fight the same battle.

Your hosts are Steve Alessi, pastor of Metro Life Church of Miami, FL, along with his sons and other leaders of our Goodfellas men's ministry.

Join us every weekday to man up! 

MORE PODCASTS YOU'LL ENJOY

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My Morning Devotional

The Family Business with The Alessis

The Mary and Martha Show 

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Transcript

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SPEAKER_01 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_00 0:28

Welcome back to the men's morning devotional. I'm Danny Wurgos, and I'm excited to continue our study in Proverbs with you. Here's your manup moment. You can't control what stands in your way, but you can control whether you keep walking. Proverbs chapter 4, verses 11 through 13 says, I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go. Guard it well, for it is your life. When I read these verses, I can't help but think about the life of Jesus. Jesus lived with direction. He knew who he was, who had sent him, and what the Father had called him to do. And no matter what came his way, he stayed on that path. Think about how many opportunities Jesus had to take an easier road. When Satan tempted him in the wilderness, Jesus could have compromised, but he didn't. When people criticized, rejected, and misunderstood him, he could have changed his message to please everyone, but he didn't. When his disciples didn't understand him, he remained patient. And when he knew the cross was ahead, he didn't turn around. Jesus kept his path straight, not because his life was easy, but because he knew where he was going. There are so many things trying to pull us in different directions. Our careers, money, relationships, social media, temptation, people's opinions, and even our own desires. If we don't know who we are following, it is easy to lose our direction. Proverbs says, Hold on to instruction, do not let it go, guard it well, for it is your life. Jesus showed us what that looks like. He stayed close to the Father, knew Scripture, prayed, and obeyed. When pressure came, he didn't allow his circumstances to decide his direction. That's the kind of man I want us to become. A man who doesn't change his values depending on who's in the room. A man who doesn't walk away from God when life gets difficult. A man who loves, serves, and forgives, but also has the courage to stand for what is right. Jesus was that kind of man. And there's one moment in his life that gives a powerful picture of this. In Luke chapter 4, Jesus speaks the truth in his hometown of Nazareth, and the people become furious. They drive him out of town and take him to the edge of a hill because they want to throw him off. Think about that scene. Jesus is surrounded by an angry crowd that wants him dead, but he doesn't panic, beg, or change his message. Luke chapter 4, verse 30 says he walked right through the crowd and went on his way. That's Jesus. There is strength in that, courage in that, and authority in that. Jesus knew who he was, he knew who had sent him, and he knew the crowd didn't determine his mission. The Father did. Man, that's how we are called to walk. Not controlled by fear, pushed around by people's opinions, or changing direction every time life gets difficult. When you walk in God's wisdom and keep your path straight, you can have confidence because you know who you belong to and who you are following. So keep your eyes on Jesus. Stand on his word, stay on the path, and when opposition comes, keep walking. Here's your man up challenge. Identify one thing that has been trying to knock you off your path and bring it to God. Let's pray. God, thank you for this day. The opportunity of opening the word with so many men around the world. Bless them and give them strength. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SPEAKER_01 5:01

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.