Iron Man Ministries

Then he said to them all: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Luke 9:23-24 NIV

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. Psalms 119:105-106 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.119.105-106.NIV

Men must bravely enlist the help of other men who have walked the walk, been there, done that, and can share their wisdom and insight for living a remarkable life.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6 KJV

By the time the Apostle Paul was writing his first letter to Timothy, he was well aware that his confidence came from God alone. Paul felt so strongly about this he put it in the first part of his letter. In 1 Timothy 1:12-16, Paul recounts his wretched shortcomings and God’s stunning grace. He calls himself the worst of all sinners. Why would God use a God-denying, Christian-killing, hateful, guy like Paul to build His church? ... Paul suggests it was God’s way of leaving us no chance to claim we had done too much ______ for God to use us. If God was still working in Paul, He’s still working in us. In Philippians 2:13, Paul explains God’s methods. He gives us both the desire and the power to please Him. Yet, He relies on us to choose the right way. In the next few verses, Paul reminds the Philippians not to complain, argue or, stray from innocent living. Paul wanted us to know that God will provide the passion and the power if we’ll choose to get on the path. We can say, I’m confident, not because our credentials are admirable, or our passion is unshakeable, but because our Creator is faithful. He started all this work in us and He’s faithful to complete it.

The idea that we can’t do it alone promises comfort for the lonely and rest for the weary. God didn’t intend for us go at it alone. When we realize we can’t, we open up the floodgates to the One Who can. His power is made perfect in our weakness. We may be frail, but He’s strong. We may be cracked, but He fills us. ... He is our constant help in times of trouble. He is our comforter in the scariest low places, and He’s the one who says, Hey! Lay down and take a rest next to this peaceful stream. He is NOT, the one who says, You’re on your own this time. In fact, I’m confident because He’s the one who says, I am with you always. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:5-6 KJV

We don’t live for the approval of God. We live FROM His approval. When God gave us Christ, He took away our power to get further approved by Him. Christ became the measurement of a believer’s place with God.... We can’t build up our confidence with good works for others. But neither can it be torn down by bad words from others. If God is for us, who can be against us? If God gave His only Son for us while we were still guilty, what would He spare on our behalf? We don’t have to live for us, because Jesus died for us. Our God is always for us. Not because of what I do, but because of Who He is. Romans 8 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Romans 8:31-34 KJV