Where are the men?

Our media has begun to portray men and fathers as total dorks. Look at the popular television shows that are children are watching. Shows like Leave It To Beaver have been replaced by King of Queens. No longer does media show fathers like Ward Cleaver. Instead, we are being painted as bumbling fools like Kevin James off of King of Queens or Tim "the Tool Man" Taylor. God did not create men to be the foolish individuals that the media portrays. The next generation will become what they see on TV and in the movies.

Fathers, husbands and men in general… it is time to step up and be the spiritual leader that God desires us to be. Ephesians 5:25-28 states:

"25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself."

That is far from what we as men have become. How many television shows have at least one marriage that is on the rocks where the husband is having an affair? WAY to many! This verse is also a HUGE responsibility. Husbands need to step up and live this role! Way to often we do not spend time with our wife let alone time praying, reading the word or seeking God's will in our marriage. We need to grow together as a couple but we also need to grow together in Christ. It is the husbands job to make sure this happens.

We also need to step up as fathers and realize that our children need us to be Godly role models. We need to spend time praying with and over our children. We need to help them find their destiny and then operate within that destiny. Ephesians 6:4 states:

"4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

I want to be a living, breathing example of what God wants out of His children. Then my children can look at the example I am setting and build off of that. I want to give them the Godly training that they need to succeed in life not only physically and mentally but also spiritually.

Lastly, we as men need to step up in our churches! During praise and worship a spiritual battle happens. Instead of stepping up and leading the battle as the bible directs we sit back and let the women handle it. Don't get me wrong, women do a great job. However, the bible calls upon men to stand up and be the spiritual leaders. We need to step up, sing out and dance before our King. We need to let go of the inhibitions that our need to appear masculine creates. Let's let go and praise our King with our dancing. Let's let freedom reign through our churches. Let's usher in the Holy Spirit and let Him guide us into the battle that is waging within our churches right now.

FATHER… HELP ME BECOME THE SPIRITUAL LEADER THAT YOU DESIRE ME TO BE! HELP ME STEP UP AND BE THE HUSBAND AND FATHER THAT I NEED TO BE! GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO STAND AND BE THE ROLE MODEL THAT MY CHILDREN NEED. HELP ME LEAD MY FAMILY AND MY CHURCH INTO THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE THAT LIES AHEAD. LORD I WILL STAND FOR YOU!