Men’s DevotionalNew hope church 20 1 8

@NewHopeChurchtv#SONSOFTHUNDER

Follow MeSons of Thunder commit to

following a greater authority.

READ: Matthew 4:18-22

In most action movies, there’s always an action-sequence that ends with the main character dangling off the edge of a cliff. At some point, when help arrives they have to let go of the cliff/building/ledge and grab the hand of the person that’s at the top, on solid ground. Technically, the character is stable; they are holding onto something. But the truth is that they need someone on solid ground to reach down and bring them to a secure place.

Generally, there are instructions that go along with that rescue such as, “Move here”, “Wait,” or “Now grab this.” And, inevitably, there is a moment where one has to let go of what they’re currently holding onto in order to take hold of something that is more sure.

Peter and Andrew were following their father. They allowed his profession and identity to define the entire trajectory of their lives. Then Jesus arrives and tells them that they can be “fishers of men.” They are given an opportunity to do something greater than they ever imagined. The catch is: they must lay down their identity and follow Christ into the unknown.

Everyone has a divine intersection. Do you continue what you’re doing or follow the call of Jesus? You can continue doing what you’ve always done, which is familiar. Or you can choose to follow the unknown path. Though what you will encounter on the road is uncertain, it is undeniably certain that where Jesus leads, you’ll want to be.

Peter and Andrew are fishing for something, but Jesus is giving them the opporturnity to cast a larger net than they could’ve imagined. Their current station in life was “secure”, but there was far more solid ground. In order to get to that solid ground, they needed to let go of what they knew in order to grab something better. In order to follow Christ, we too must let go of what we were holding onto before we met Christ.

QUESTIONSDo you think it was difficult for Peter and Andrew to walk away from their family trade to follow Jesus?

What do you need to lay down to follow Christ?

PrayerGod, I commit to lay down my current life aspirations in order to follow You. Give me the courage to trust You and to take that first step. Amen.

Mac GervaisWebster Campus Pastor

Two Face Sons of Thunder commit to face

the truth about themselves.

READ: 2 Samuel 12:1-10

Have you ever heard the phrase “can’t see past his own nose”? It was made famous during the Disney film, Mary Poppins. The phrase was directed at the father of the family Mary Poppins was serving. I know. Mary Poppins is a chick-flick or kids’ movie, right? But you see, Mr. Banks, the father, was a lower clerk at the Bank of England right before a major market-crash. He thought he had the perfect life, with wife and kids in tow and that they should obey his every command. He had such high and unrealistic expectations that the kids disobeyed all the time because they wanted to gain his attention. Now we could say that this was a bad choice by his two kids, but did his arrogance, pride, and possibly anger push them to do it?

I know from personal experience that pride and anger are the typical “emotions” a guy feels and uses to intimidate others. In the passage we read today, King David took Nathan’s story at face value, and he didn’t realize the story was about him. When he did, I can only imagine the embarrassment he must have felt. More often than not, we guys like to be right. We like to have control, and we like to think we know exactly

where our lives - and the lives of our wives and kids - should be heading. But that pride, anger, bitterness and arrogance can be our doom. If we allow it to, those things can make our rough edges even rougher. We will miss the blessing of allowing God to smooth out our roughness and guide our families to a better, healthier path. By the way, if you haven’t seen Mary Poppins, don’t worry…Mr. Banks realizes he needs forgiveness and discovers that his family’s happiness is his true fulfillment.

QUESTIONSDoes your job or schedule allow you to properly balance the other side of life with your family or friends?

When was the last time you honestly took an account of your life day-to-day?

Are you honest with others in your words and actions, while not expressing pride, anger, etc.?

PRAYERFather, I commit to face the truth about myself. Help me see when I am prideful or arrogant. Help me be truthful and place others’ needs above my own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sam FowlerNew Hope Kids

Less of MeSons of Thunder commit to sacrifice

their own desires to follow Christ.

READ: Luke 9:23-25

When I was in college, I attempted to be a country music star. I went to Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and the country music scene was pretty heavy there. I was always obsessed with storytelling – singing about love, life and the fun that goes along with hanging out with the people you care about. At the same time, I was also leading worship at the church I was attending at the time. Needless to say, there came a point when my country music desires started conflicting with the calling God put on my life. I was reminded of Matthew 6:24, where it says that no man can serve two masters because he cannot be fully devoted to either one. God calls us to sacrifice our own desires like it says in Luke chapter 9. He wants us to follow Him with everything we have, regardless of what we think, feel or want. He demands our entire heart, not just a portion of it. And He demands we follow Him every day, not just when it’s convenient for us.

Eventually, I realized in my attempt to do both country music and worship music, I had to choose one or the other. Thank the Lord I made the right decision, because choosing God’s way will always be the best way! He has blessed my life and

my career beyond my wildest expectations and I would encourage you to choose God’s will for your life, and see what He will do.

QUESTIONSHow can we ensure that we choose God’s way every time, rather than just when it’s easy?

What is something in your own life that you are choosing over what God has called you to do?

PRAYERDear Lord, thank You for loving me, even in my imperfection. Please strengthen me to hear Your voice, and follow Your direction for my life. I commit to sacrificing my own desire to follow You…especially in the hard times. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Jacob AgnewWorship Leader

An Inconvenient ObedienceSons of Thunder commit to determined obedience.

READ: John 6:66-69

I grew up in Texas, but my hero played for the St. Louis Cardinals. Ozzie Smith had more fun playing baseball than anyone I knew enjoyed anything that they did. The easy smile rarely left his face. He made incredible defensive plays look effortless. And he led his team onto the field by doing a back flip before each game. A back flip!

I picked out the number “1” when I got my first baseball jersey, just like Ozzie. I practiced at shortstop, just like Ozzie. I even learned how to do a backflip (on a trampoline), just like Ozzie. I admired him from a distance. I idolized him. He never knew I was watching, but I wanted to be just like him.

You have people in your life who admire you from a distance. They idolize you. You may not know they are watching you or want to be just like you, but they are. And they do. What do they see?

Let them see you live with passion. Enjoy life. Smile quickly. Every now and then, take up a new hobby or learn a new skill. Like learning how to do a backflip! Let them see you live with integrity. Work every day to make your words be full of truth.

And let them see you live with obedience. One of the greatest measures of spiritual maturity is the distance between command and obedience. We want those two things to be as close together as possible, even when disobedience is the easier route. A growing, maturing follower of Christ decides that obedience is not simply the best choice when it is convenient. In fact, it’s not that obedience is the best choice at all, it is the only choice. An inconvenient obedience is always better than a convenient disobedience.

QUESTIONSWhat are some times you have struggled to be obedient?

Who is watching how you live your life?

PRAYErDear Father, I commit to determined obedience. I know obedience can be so difficult, but I know that You have my best interest in mind. Sometimes I can’t see that, and sometimes I may forget that, but I know it is true. Help me to trust You in my obedience. Amen.

Jeremy GundlingConnections Director

Inevitable FruitSons of Thunder commit to producing spiritual fruit.

READ: John 15:1-8

Sometimes we act as though there are multiple levels of Christianity. There’s the “super” Christian that is essentially the closest thing to Jesus we can find, and then there’s just your “regular” Christian. A regular Christian probably doesn’t cuss a bunch and goes to church most of the time. They might pray and even read their bible occasionally, but they don’t go “overboard with the whole church thing.”

Scripture, however, paints a very different picture. When we see imagery about bearing fruit, it removes the option for nominal faith. Christians are not just Christians in name only; there should be evident fruit being produced in our lives. Bearing fruit is not optional for believers, nor is it something that we work over time to manufacture. It is the inevitable biproduct of a spirit-filled life.

When you constantly work out at the gym, you don’t have to concentrate to make your muscles grow. You don’t just will abs to grow where they weren’t before. You can’t make muscle definition appear just because you want it to. You have to actually do something. A more-toned figure is the necessary and inevitable biproduct of working out. This is similar to faith. If you are daily submitting your

life to the Lord, then you will bear fruit. The words “abide” or “remain in” are used in several versions of this Scripture. It emphasizes the constant need to be connected and spiritually nourished by God. This isn’t a one-time thing. Additionally, there are two promises connected to persistence: First, that God will remain with you. The second is that you will bear fruit. QUESTIONSDoes it make it easier to follow God knowing that God will be with you at all times?

In what areas of your life do you see that you are bearing fruit? In what areas of your life is there room for growth?

PRAYERGod, I will commit to producing spiritual fruit by being consistently in Your presence. Thank You for Your faithfulness to stay with me. God, in Your timing, produce fruit in my life that blesses others.

Mac GervaisWebster Campus Pastor

Loving OthersSons of Thunder commit to love others faithfully.

READ: John 13:34-35

Growing up going to church every week, I knew all kinds of different people at my church. I had a best friend, a girl I liked, a girl that had broken my heart, and a guy that got on my nerves week in and week out! It was easy to pick and choose when I wanted to show the love of Jesus to my fellow Christians, and it was easy to pick who was deserving of getting that love. Let’s face it, some people are just hard to be kind to.

But don’t you think that sometimes we can be hard to love too? Don’t you think that we ignore God and do the opposite of what He says way more often than we should? Yet even in our sin, Jesus loves us more than we can even grasp. His perfect love drove Him to be willing to die for us so that we could be with Him forever. He even loves those who we see as “hard to be kind to.” This command to love others seems so much more powerful when we meditate on the love that Jesus has for us. The hard feelings I had for the people at my church seemed so petty and embarrassing when I realized how loved I am. Let’s commit to love others the way Jesus loved us. Let’s show the world that we are followers of Jesus with how we treat one another!

QUESTIONSWhat are some things that people have done to make it hard for you to love them?

How can you better show love to people at your church, your work, your neighborhood?

PRAYERGod, please help me be reminded of Your great love for me. Help me love others faithfully, and to show this same love to those around me. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Paul RiveraKrush Pastor

RootedSons of Thunder commit to spiritual discipline.

READ: Colossians 2:1-10

When I was in Kindergarten I got into my first fist-fight: My opponent’s name was Daniel and he was in second grade. He was about a foot taller than me, and he shoved me to the grass in our front yard. With my brothers and sisters cheering me on, (and my adrenaline kicking in) somehow, I got back up, grabbed him from behind, and threw him to the ground. I then began tenderizing his nose with my little fist.

That day, I thought I was acting like a “real man.” Truth be told, I could’ve walked away. I could’ve given him a second chance. There were many things I could have done. But instead, I chose violence. I broke his nose and his grandmother nearly broke my head. All of this happened because I lacked the discipline to restrain myself.

The Bible tells us to be “rooted” in our faith in Jesus. It is the thing that brings us stability when trials or times of trouble come. Psalms 1:1 tells us this type of person “is like a tree planted by streams of water.” In other words, when things get tough “our roots” keep us grounded.

Just as Paul commended the Colossians, when we are committed to living for Jesus, spending time in the Word, and devoting ourselves to prayer, then we won’t be swayed by what the world offers as truth. We won’t be uprooted. In addition, God’s plan for men is that we encourage one another, stand up for what’s right, and that we are united in our love for Jesus. So, even when we are apart from one another we are still demonstrating these godly characteristics, and living lives rooted in the discipline of living for Jesus.

QUESTIONSWhat can you do to grow deep roots in Christ?

How are you encouraging other people to grow deeper in their faith?

PRAYER Dear heavenly Father, I commit to live a life of spiritual discipline, rooted in You. Please help me to be the man You have created me to be. I thank You for all You have done in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Mike CervantesFriendswood Campus Pastor

God’s WordSons of Thunder commit to abide in the Word.

READ: John 8:31-32

I am a father of five and over the years, there have been many times when I have held onto one of my kid’s hands in order to keep them out of harm’s way. Whether it was in a crowded amusement park, the mall, or a parking lot, they knew that when I reached my hand out to them, they were supposed to grab it. Now that they are older, they have learned the importance of being aware of their surroundings and staying safe—they no longer have to hold onto my hand. In a sense, they’ve been set free. It doesn’t mean that I want them to get lost or hurt, it simply means that I trust them to be aware of their surrounds and make good choices.

I think this is similar to how God’s Word plays a role in our lives. In our reading today, we see that it starts with belief. Jesus tells the Jews who have come to believe in Him that He is the Messiah, and that they must hold on to His teachings. He tells them that their obedience is the evidence of their faith. But the best part comes in verse 32; when you know the truth, it will set you free.

God gives us the Bible in order for us to know His teachings and come to understand what He wants from us in our lives. The more that we know it, the freer we become. We don’t have to walk around feeling weak or inferior. We don’t have to feel burdened or restricted. We can put our hope in the Savior who came to give us peace and hope, and that is where true freedom begins.

QUESTIONSHow can I make more time to read the Bible every day?

What gets in the way of me abiding in God’s word?

PRAYERLord, thank You for giving us the Bible. I will commit to abide in it each day. Help me to see the areas of my life where I am not holding to Your teaching. Guide me and lead me to a place of Your perfect peace and freedom. Amen.

Brandon Kennard288 Campus Pastor

It’s Job number 1Sons of Thunder commit to carry out God’s mission.

READ: Matthew 28:19-20

What am I here for? The question seems simple enough. But what is my purpose? What is my job? Why am I here? I think as men we want to know what we’re supposed to do. It’s why we like sports: we understand the objective (ball in the basket, ball over the goal line, ball in the cup, runner touches home, etc.) There has to be a purpose if you want us to engage. Our work is the same. We might think our jobs are too demanding sometimes, but what if it went the other way? What if we walked into work, pulled up a chair, and then sat there doing nothing all day until it was time to go home? It might seem cool for a day…but it would get “old” quick. The truth is we all want something to do. Something worthwhile. Something challenging. Something that makes a difference.Jesus understood that. And that is why when He stood and addressed His disciples minutes before He left this earth the last time, He challenged them. He gave them a to-do list. He gave them a job. He revealed His purpose to them…a purpose that still applies to us today. It’s called The Great Commission, and it commands us to go and make disciples of all nations. Jesus reminded them that He had spent three years teaching them, and now it was their job to go teach others so that they, too, will become disciples.

Usually, when we meet other guys the first thing we ask is, “What do you do for work?” It’s the way we categorize and define people. But no matter if you are a fireman, a teacher, an executive, or a construction worker, your first job, according to Jesus, is a disciple-maker. He said, “Go and make disciples.” That’s why our mission statement at New Hope is “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known.” That is what we’re here for.

QUESTIONSDo you embrace discipling as something we all should do?

How can you better recognize and seize the opportunities to disciple others?

PRAYERGod, I will commit to carrying out Your mission to make disciples. Help me to see the opportunities as they present themselves, and be bold enough to engage them. Thank you for giving me this purpose. Amen. Howard AgnewAlvin Campus Pastor

SHOW UPSons of Thunder commit to the church family.

READ: Hebrews 10:24-25

Having grown up playing sports, I learned the difference between actually working hard, and pretending like I was working hard. I was always a bigger kid in comparison to the rest of the team: That meant the struggle of pull-ups was my least favorite rotation in the weight room. Luckily for me, I knew just the right moment when the coach was not looking, and I could simply hang rather than make an effort to pull up. That is, until one afternoon, when he caught me not making the effort I should have been. I’ll never forget what he said to me: “If you are really serious about being a great player, then you have to realize that it starts with you. How much are you willing to sacrifice in order to be great?”

Sometimes it’s easy in life to neglect something that seems small. But, if you are going to be “all-in” for Jesus, and do whatever He is calling you to do, then you must realize that it starts with you making the effort to be in church. Having perfect church attendance doesn’t get you extra brownie points, but it is crucial for developing your relationship with Jesus. When you come to church, you’re not just watching a program, but joining in on the opportunity to hear God’s word,

celebrating what He’s doing in your life, serving others, and growing in your relationships with other believers. In Acts 2:42-47, we see what can happen when believers devote themselves to being present with the church: it says God added to their number daily!

A lot of times, we like to toss up excuses as to why we can’t make weekend service. However, if you are truly serious about following Jesus and becoming a godly man, then coming to church should be a non-negotiable. It needs to be a priority!

QUESTIONSWhat are the excuses you frequently tell yourself as to why you cannot attend church consistently?

Who is someone you can ask to help keep you accountable to attending church on a regular basis?

PRAYERLord, I will commit to You and to this church family. I want to know You more; I want to serve Your church. Help me prioritize the things in my life so I may honor You. Amen.

Chandler JamesKrush Pastor

GIVE FREELYSons of Thunder commit to give freely.

READ: Proverbs 11:24

Last April, the Houston Texans drafted rookie sensation Deshaun Watson. He quickly made an impact on the team, but not as most might expect. Hurricane Harvey had just claimed many victims, and Watson wanted to do something about it. So, the 22-year-old rookie did the unexpected, and donated his first paycheck to three ladies who worked in the cafeteria. The ladies were moved with great emotion, and embraced Watson with an overwhelmed spirit of gratitude.

What would cause an athlete/celebrity like Deshaun Watson to give up 29K to some ladies who he did not know very well? I would argue it’s because of his faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). There is power in living a life filled with generosity. This was God’s plan for us. That is, God blessed you, so you could be a blessing by giving freely to those who are in need without the expectation of anything in return. That is a true example of loving your neighbor.

Psalm 41:1-3 in the Message teaches we should, “Dignify those who are down on their luck; you’ll feel good—that’s what God does. God looks after

us all, makes us robust with life—Lucky to be in the land, we’re free from enemy worries. Whenever we’re sick and in bed, God becomes our nurse, nurses us back to health.”

Isn’t that amazing? God takes care of people who take care of His kids who are in need. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus tells us that when we show kindness to the people who need help, it is like we are helping Him. So, when we live generously, and give freely to people in need we are actually giving to Jesus.

QUESTIONSHow can you become a more generous person? Are you putting God first in all you have?

Is there anyone in your life who needs you to be generous?

PRAYER God, thank You for all that You have blessed me with, and thank You for always looking out for my best interests. Lord, I will commit to give freely. Please help me to be a generous man of God. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Mike CervantesFriendswood Campus Pastor

Leading From BehindSons of Thunder commit to put others first.

READ: Philippians 2:3-11

During my senior year of Varsity baseball, I was head conductor on the “Me” train. I wanted to have people’s attention, I wanted playing time, and I wanted to have other’s approval. Baseball was my way to the top of my high school kingdom. It offered satisfaction, popularity, and self-esteem. Unfortunately, not all things work out as planned.

If and when I did not get what I wanted from baseball, I immediately reacted, wondering how someone could not see how worthy I was of attention, playing time, or approval. My high school baseball career was influenced by selfishness and pride.

Luckily, Jesus works on hearts. As I grew to know Jesus more during my senior season, I learned of the approval, love, and satisfaction that He alone gives. When I realized that Jesus could fill the void I expected baseball to fill, my approach to sports - and life - changed. I became a supporter and encourager of those who played more and less than I did. Playing the game was no longer about being on the weekly school news or getting interviewed for the yearbook. It was about elevating those around me. I switched from conductor to caboose. From wanting to be first,

to leading from the back. I learned my role was one of service. We are called to lift up, encourage, and empower those around us. The Lord calls us to serve others. He himself came not to be served but to serve. His life was devoted to making those around him better at their purpose – to know Christ and make Him known.

Whether in sports, raising a family, leading a team at work or in your own spiritual walk, we know that we are third. God is first, others are second, and we are third. The caboose. We are called to let go of privilege and position and take upon ourselves humility, obedience, and selflessness.

QUESTIONSWhere in your life have you become privileged or selfish? How can you return that time to God, your family, and others?

Are you your family’s biggest fan? How can you show it?

PRAYERLord, I thank You for calling me to lead. Give me a heart like Yours, one of sacrifice and humility. Continue to challenge me to submit to you in everything, as I commit to put others first. Amen.

Collin HopkinsKrush Pastor

Call of a ManSons of Thunder commit to do hard things.

READ: Philippians 4:13

As a man, all throughout my life I have looked for challenges to conquer. Every little boy at some time got a stick from his backyard and slayed an imaginary fire-breathing dragon, saving the world in the process. We love conquering things that seem impossible. That is why things like military special-forces, Ironman triathlons, and climbing Mount Everest are so intriguing to us: we want to conquer things that people say are impossible to do.

However, there’s another force that is out there. It’s a force trying to get us to stray away from this God-given desire to conquer. It’s tempting us to do the one thing that can take down any man… it’s the temptation to quit. When things get hard, instead of pressing forward and persevering, we want to give up.

Jesus has called us to do hard things. He set the ultimate example when He took our pain and guilt upon Himself and went to the cross. He could have quit. He could have given up, but He didn’t. He did the impossible for us so that now we can confidently conquer any battle we may face in this life.

No matter how stacked the odds are against us, we can stand firm knowing that no battle is too great. No enemy is too strong. We can trust that Jesus will come through because Jesus has already won the war. We just have to be ready to do the hard thing.

QUESTIONSWhere is an area you are tempted to quit?

How can you fight that temptation this week?

PRAYERJesus, I know You are strong enough. Even when I feel like I’m not good enough, You are. God, I pray that You would strengthen me to fight the battles You have called me to conquer. Lord, I commit to do the hard things. Amen.

Carl CherryKrush Pastor

Loving GodSons of Thunder commit to loving God

with everything they’ve got.

READ: Matthew 22:36-38

I have a great family that I love more than I can express. I have a beautiful wife and two amazing kids, and my younger brother is even my best friend. I would do anything for them, and they mean the world to me. But…I’m called to love God even more!

In this passage we read, Jesus responds to a question by one of the Pharisees. They are trying to trick Him into saying something wrong, but what He said totally blew them out of the water. He tells them that all of the commands they stand around and argue about all day long, can be summed up into one: Love. Love God and love others. That’s all there is to it.

The Pharisees took pride in being obedient. They took pride in following rules. And while obedience is important, it is not the same as love. Obedience can be shown in love, but it can also be shown in fear. The Pharisees also prioritized knowledge. Knowledge is good and can lead us to greater understanding. But, once again, knowledge is not love.

If we truly love God, we will want to obey Him. And if we truly love God, we will want to know Him. God-centered love is eternal. It joins us to God in joyful appreciation of all He has done for us, is doing through us, and will do for us in the future.

The absolute most important thing is to love God with everything that we are. With all of our emotions, spirit, body, and thoughts. All of those should be dedicated to loving Him above all - more than our families, more than ourselves. Remember: Love isn’t just an emotion. Love is active, and involves all of who you are…heart, soul, and mind.

QUESTIONSWhy do you think this is the greatest commandment?

How can you love God with all your heart, soul, and mind?

PRAYERDear Lord, help me to live out this great commandment that You have set out for us. I want to continue to love You with all of my heart, soul and mind. I commit to loving You with everything I’ve got. Continue to use me to bring glory to Your name. Amen.

Chad PerezWorship Leader

Love like a FatherSons of Thunder commit to loving

the people around them.

READ: Matthew 22:36-40

I recently had a baby right before my twenty-second birthday. A beautiful baby boy! As a young dad, raising my son has been challenging this past year. But as a child grows, so do you as a parent. I always thought that I was pretty good at loving people, I even thought I loved others as much as myself. But this was something different.

Now as my son grew, he became more independent, curious, and mobile. And I started to notice something in myself: a new love and a new patience. I have realized that as my son grows up and becomes more independent, he is more disobedient. He also wants to feed himself, and he wants to open his own snack. But because he’s my son, this new level of love and patience allows me to forgive him. It allows me to let him fail, and let him mess things up so he can learn to ask for my help when he’s ready.

I started thinking: I truly love my son more than myself, but would I treat my peers or even a stranger the same way I do my son? Would I show that much grace and forgiveness to mankind? These thoughts truly challenged me, and I sought God’s guidance.

What He reminded me is that we are His little children, constantly growing, changing, and being more independent. Just like my son, we are trying to make it on our own. Yet, we have a Lord that is patient and caring who lets us fail and forgives us when we realize we can’t make it without Him. So why can’t we do the same for one another? Ultimately, we must not only love the Lord our God with everything we have, we must also love the Lord our God’s people.

QUESTIONSHow important is it to show love to the people God has put around us?

How can you be an example of the love that Christ has for all of us?

PRAYERLord, thank You for the ultimate sacrifice of Your Son. God, help me to be an example of Your amazing love. I commit to loving the people around me, both my brother and my enemy. I thank you, I love you. Amen

Robert GenterKrush Pastor

Make Hard, EasySons of Thunder commit to loving their enemy.

READ: Matthew 5:38-48

“It’s just too hard.” It’s a phrase that we’ve all heard or said before. As a teenager, I took a woodshop class that required me to build one project by myself. As I’m not the crafty-type, this was a hard task set before me. There were several times when I wanted to accept that it was “just too hard,” but I knew it would cost me a bad grade. Every time, I had to choose to do what I felt was hard, because I knew that I would be rewarded in the end. I thought that my reward would be the simple fact of finishing the task given to me. What I didn’t realize was that the true reward would be a feeling of accomplishment and peace.

As Christians and as men, we know that we have enemies in this life. Sometimes we see these people every day or maybe, just once-a-year. But, no matter the frequency or situation, it’s easier for us to dislike them and distance ourselves. Yet, we see in Matthew 5 that God calls us to be different than how society encourages us to be in these situations. Love your enemy, don’t hate them. Pray for your enemy, don’t persecute them. When we love our enemy, we are loving people the same way God loves us. The truth is: Hating people can be easy and loving people can be hard. But God rewards us for doing the hard work.

QUESTIONSIs it harder for you to show love to your “enemy?” Do you only love people that love you or strive to love those that may not love you as well?

What are some ways that you can focus on showing love towards people that persecute you, your family, or friends?

PRAYERGod, thank You for waking me up this morning and giving me the opportunity to seek You today. Thank You for giving me a plan and purpose in this life. Thank You for my “enemies” and the plans You have for their lives as well. God, I will commit to loving my enemies and praying for them when they persecute me. Give me the love that You have for others. Amen.

Brett ForbusKrush Pastor

Showing Real StrengthSons of Thunder commit to being strong, yet gentle.

READ: Romans 15:1-6

We often think of strength just like force. JJ Watt is strong and we know this because of the way he throws guys around to go get the quarterback. Likewise, we know George Springer is strong because he can hit a baseball over 500 feet. But we also know there are other kinds of strength, and sometimes it may not be a show of force that is needed…but a show of love.

Being strong does not always mean that we get our way, sometimes it means being strong enough to think of others instead of ourselves. We know that Jesus could have demanded that He be recognized as God, and that He be celebrated as an earthly king. Instead, Philippians 2:7-8 says, “Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Everything Jesus did was for us. He did what He did so that we would come to know our Father in heaven.Just because we are physically able to do something doesn’t necessarily mean that we should.

We can’t just worry about what we want, or what’s good for us. Maybe it’s our wives or our children, maybe it’s a neighbor or a co-worker, but we should be willing to sacrifice something we desire in order to see others prosper, and to point them towards God. And then, having found likemindedness, we can truly worship together with one heart.

QUESTIONSDo you look beyond your own desires to recognize the needs of others?

How can you work to be a servant, and to serve those physically and spiritually weaker than yourself?

PRAYERGod, I will commit to being strong, yet gentle. I will boldly seek to serve you by humbling myself to serve others. Help me to care for others as you do. Amen. Howard AgnewAlvin Campus Pastor

Your Identity Sons of Thunder commit to

finding their identity in Christ.

READ: Galatians 2:19-21

The envelope came several weeks after celebrating my sixteenth birthday. Before it was opened, the official Texas seal on the outside dispelled any mystery as to what it was. I’d been waiting on this day since I stood in front of the camera in the crowded DMV and smiled. As expected, my driver’s license with my goofy grin on the front was inside. For the first time, I had an official document with my name and face on it that I could use to prove that I am who I say I am.

As men, we often believe that our identity is tied to what we can do or how we can provide. If we are asked to describe ourselves, you’d often hear answers that are related to our jobs or hobbies. Sometimes, as men, we find our worth based on how much money we make, how many hours we work, or how well we provide for our families. These are not inherently bad things, but if any one of them becomes the sole driver in how we view ourselves, then we have “misplaced” priorities.

Paul is writing to the church in Galatia because they were undergoing an “identity crisis” of their own. The issue revolved around whether followers of Christ should have to adhere to Jewish laws and

customs. In his direct style, Paul reminds the church that they are no longer subject to the law, but have been given grace through their faith in Jesus Christ. Now, through faith, their identity, and also your identity, has been altered. It’s not about what you can do or what you’ve done. In fact, it’s not about you at all.

In verse 20, Paul reminds us when we put our faith in Christ, God identifies us with Christ. His death on the cross was our death to a self-centered life. When He rose from the grave, our spirit-led life began. Our identity is found in Christ. Therefore, our lives should mirror the attitude and heart of Christ.

QUESTIONSAccording to these verses, how should we view ourselves?

What are some ways you can reflect your life in Christ today?

PRAYERLord, thank You for what You’ve done for me. I will commit to finding my identity in You and representing You today in a way that brings You glory.

Justin KoubaWorship Leader

Work HardSons of Thunder commit to hard work.

READ: Proverbs 14:23

It’s a known fact that if you do nothing, nothing will come of it. There aren’t any get-rich-quick schemes, or magic wands to wave, and there is not a winning formula that won’t require working hard. Everyone knows: hard work pays off!

Profit and poverty are words often associated with money, yet they’re also widely used across many areas of life. If you want your marriage to come to poverty, simply don’t put in any effort. If you want your body to become unfit and overweight, then there is no need to eat right or exercise. It’s a well-known fact: anything worth having comes at a price. If there is something worth having, then it’s hard work that is going to ensure it’s worth keeping. It could be a relationship, health, finances, job, your home, or even your friends. But what about grace? Does grace need to be worked out or does grace just work all by itself?

As a Christian, the easiest thing in the world to do is talk about what I claim to believe. It requires very minimal effort. I can talk about grace, loving my neighbor, leading my family, or raising my kids in church. I can talk about the importance of forgiving people who hurt or offend me. I can talk all day and not break a sweat.

This proverb reminds us, mere talk leads only to poverty. The riches of God’s grace need to be at work and outworked in our lives for us to truly reap the benefits, or profit, of having grace to start with. But it’s no “walk-in-the-park.” It’s hard work.

Set your eyes on the faithfulness of God. Work hard at your job, your marriage, and parenting your children. Work hard in your ministry and calling – laziness and apathy amounts only to mere talk that leads to poverty. Work hard and seek God, knowing that His faithfulness will be revealed in your life. QUESTIONSDoes the Bible’s positive view of work surprise you?

How does Christ allow you to keep your work in its proper place (priorities)?

PRAYERHeavenly Father, guide me as I commit to work hard and be faithful to the things that matter. Help me to honor You in all areas of my life. Amen.

Ed MartinezExecutive Pastor

Emergency Room BrosSons of Thunder commit to their brothers.

READ: Proverbs 27:17

Two years ago, my sister was in a very dangerous car accident. She was driving when a drunk driver forced her off the road and into a light pole. The car was totaled, and she was heading to the hospital for immediate surgery.

I can still remember driving my family to Austin at midnight. Even though it was very late, I texted my closest friend and asked for prayer. When I arrived at the hospital in Austin, I found that same friend sitting in the waiting room. Turns out, as soon as he received my text, he packed up and headed straight to Austin.

By God’s grace, my sister lived. When I asked my friend why he dropped everything, he replied, “It’s what brothers do.” That was the day I learned what it truly meant to commit to your brother.God created men to enjoy community with other men. There’s no way around it. There is something powerful that happens when men spend time with each other, acting according to God’s Word. Too often, we allow ourselves to become so busy with careers and project lists, that we neglect this important mandate God has placed on our soul: spending time with other godly men.

God wired us to grow and push each other. The Scriptures use the image of iron sharpening iron for a reason! When we neglect spending time with men in community, we grow spiritually dull and complacent. That’s why we have LifeGroups just for men. It’s where men can be men. It’s a place where men can share their struggles, celebrate each other’s victories, and push each other to be the men God created us to be. It’s where strangers become brothers.

My friend would have never been at the hospital, if not for a previous choice I made. A decade earlier in college, I noticed a classmate that spent all his time studying alone. I decided to invite him to a men’s LifeGroup I led on Monday evenings. It was that decision to invest in him that has blessed me more than I ever could have imagined.

QUESTIONSDo you have godly community with other men?

Who is one man God is laying on your heart to invest in?

PRAYERLord, thank You that You created men for community with each other. Lord, I will invest in and commit to my brothers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tex RuleKrush Pastor

No Whiners Allowed Sons of Thunder commit to no complaining.

READ: Philippians 2:14-18

The interesting thing about “complaining” is that it’s one of the most common sins we find. And we seem to tolerate it, and perhaps don’t even call it “sin,” because we’re all so used to doing it! Paul’s first line in this Scripture says, “Do ALL things without grumbling or disputing.” In this situation, disputing can either mean “inward questioning” or “outward disunity.” In this text, Paul’s command not to dispute is not talking about honest discussion of differences of opinion, but, asking us to confront our hearts and attitudes in how we raise questions or disagreements. In this context, Paul specifically means grumbling and disputing against one another. The truth is: Our grumbling and disputing are really against God, who is over all of our circumstances.

My personal testimony is built on my life in Christ. This is a life that should be free from grumbling and disputing. This is a life that should be filled with the joy and Christ-like love He has given us, even in trials. Especially in trials! Just like light, we are able to shine our brightest in the darkest places. These places may be personal trials we are going though, or tough situations. Maybe it’s at work, where you’re surrounded by people that have hurt you. Or maybe it’s at home, or in a relationship with someone close to you.

If you do things without “grumbling or disputing,” but, instead, are above reproach and filled with joy, you are going to be the light that shines in that situation! People may not read this, or the Scripture above, but they read you! Remember: you have the ability and the responsibility to shine the light of Christ, especially during trials. Love > complaining.

QUESTIONSHow can our reactions affect someone’s understanding or view of Christ?

If you’re in a bad situation (work, home, etc.) how can you shine Christ’s light?

PRAYERLord God, I will commit to not complaining and I will make sure that the heart behind my words reflect the joy that You have given me, so that I may be a light to those around me.

Peter Dearing Worship and Creative Arts Director

The Road Less TraveledSons of Thunder commit to taking the higher road.

READ: Romans 12:9-21

Have you ever had someone not like you…for no reason at all? At some point in everybody’s life, there will come a time when we get picked on, talked bad about, or generally mistreated. Somebody won’t like something about us. Maybe it’s the way we talk, the way we dress, or even what kind of music we listen to, but something about us is going to rub them the wrong way and they will go out of their way to make our lives miserable. So what do we do when that happens? How do we honor God in that situation?

Simply put, the Bible says we are to love them anyway. We should always look to treat our enemies with love, return cursing with blessing, and treat them in a way that brings glory to our calling, and to God. It’s not the easy way, but it’s the right way. We can look to the example of Jesus. He was persecuted in so many ways, yet even as He hung on the cross being mocked and tortured, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:24). In the same way, we are to consider our enemies.

We cannot control how other people act, we can only determine our own actions. And God has given us instructions that we should strive to live in

peace and harmony with everybody. Sometimes, that may not be possible, but we should never be the ones standing in the way of that happening.

QUESTIONS How does it affect you when people openly oppose you or mistreat you? How do you respond?

Are you willing and able to look beyond their mistreatment and love them, while striving for peace and harmony with them?

PRAYERLord, I will commit to taking the high road, to treating my enemies with love and respect. I will seek to follow Your example and not take the easy way, but the hard way that leads to peace and bringing glory and honor to You. Amen.

Howard AgnewAlvin Campus Pastor

RESPECTSons of Thunder commit to treating all

women with utmost respect.

READ: 1st Timothy 5:1-2

Let me share with you something I have discovered in my spiritual journey to be absolutely 100% true: When my relationship with God is where it needs to be, my relationships with my wife, family and friends are, too. When my relationship with God is not on-point, neither are any of my other relationships. Putting God first looks something like this for me: I start my day and end my day with Him. I seek His wisdom. I pray for my wife, family and loved ones. And I filter everything that happens in my day through Him.

God is concerned with the way we treat each other. Paul clearly instructed Timothy on how he was to conduct himself with older and younger men and women. Since the church is a family, we are to treat older men as fathers and younger men as brothers. And we are to treat older women as mothers and younger women as sisters.We often hear about dysfunctional families and the chaos that results. Let’s make sure our church is characterized by healthy family relationships. A family that is seeking to please the Lord, where men and women are respected and genuine concern is shown for all, is a great testimony, isn’t it? People take notice when a godly family sets the

example; It can draw others to Christ. If we are living as a family according to God’s will, others will take note. They will long to have what we have, and to know the Savior we know.

The Scripture should be a strong reminder to all men to treat women as sisters—and display love, interest and concern. But, certainly, without any attempts at sexual involvement, or unbecoming behavior. That is why Paul adds the words, “with absolute purity.” A man should be pure in his intentions, attitudes, and interactions with women. QUESTIONSHow do I measure up to God’s Word?

Do I treat men and women with respect?

PRAYERThank You Lord, that when You called me, You placed me in Your family. Teach me to view others as fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers in Christ. I commit that I will treat all women with utmost respect, and seek to honor You in all my relationships.

Ed MartinezExecutive Pastor

Bring Home the BaconSons of Thunder commit to providing for their children.

READ: Matthew 7:9-11

Bacon may be the most amazing food ever heated over a flame! It is regularly added to any number of dishes. It is the first ingredient in a BLT. It’s my favorite breakfast food, perhaps my favorite food of any kind! I think we’d agree that most dads like bacon. And we take pride in bringing home the bacon to our families, too. Not just the real kind, but that cold, hard bacon called cash!

I am confident that if we polled dads, we would discover an overwhelming number of us feel strongly that we work hard to provide for our children. As they say, “We bring home the bacon!” I wonder…can we also say that we are “Bringing home Jesus?” Gentlemen, Jesus is the spiritual bacon. He is that ingredient that we can add to any situation and it becomes amazing! And dads, we must love Jesus way more than we love bacon. The really amazing part of our passage today is that Jesus loves us so much more than we love our own children! Hear this: Jesus loves more and better than we do. No matter how good we “bring home the bacon,” Jesus does it better. And He is ready, willing, and able to give us the good gifts that we ask for.

You may ask, “What does this mean for me?” Are you telling me that I should be providing Jesus to my children every day, as well? The answer is YES! Your children need you to provide for them spiritually, even more than they need you to provide financially. Sharing Jesus with them is easier than you might think, and it’s good for your whole family. All you need is to ask, and God will give you what you need. That is His promise.

QUESTIONSWhat are you doing to provide spiritually for your kids?

What are three things you can start to do right now to make this change?

PRAYERJesus, thank You for providing for me and my family. Guide my steps as I commit to provide for my children both physically and spiritually. Help me to have the courage and wisdom to ask for the things that I need from You to provide for them. Amen.

Brian BurlesonAV Tech Manager

Foolish ArgumentsSons of Thunder commit to avoiding foolish arguments.

READ: 2 Timothy 2:22-26

When my wife and I got married, we had very different ideas about how to resolve conflict. She came from a home where the mentality was, “Whoever yells the loudest wins the fight.” My family, however, just internalized their problems and never spoke about them. It took us about one day of marriage to discover that neither one of these was a good way to deal with our issues. We had to find a way to discuss difficult things without getting involved in foolish, ignorant arguments. It had to become about making our relationship, and life together, better and not about who could win a fight.

We live in a world that thinks if we don’t put up a fight, then we are weak. The world says that as men, we have to stand up and make our voices heard. But, our passage today warns us against this kind of mentality. These verses challenge us not to fight, but to be kind. The way we deal with the people we disagree with can either point them toward the cross or away from it. Just as it states in verse 25, it is in our ability to set aside our selfishness and our differences that we will receive the knowledge of the truth.

QUESTIONSWhy is it so hard to not get into foolish arguments?

How can I reflect Christ when I disagree with someone?

PRAYERLord, thank You for giving me Your Word. Help me to see my weakness in needing to prove myself—I know this always leads to unnecessary conflict. I commit to putting aside my selfishness and avoiding foolish arguments. Amen.

Brandon Kennard288 Campus Pastor