God has blessed you with certain gifts. When you make the most of those gifts, and you use them to serve others, you honor God. And God honors you in return.

That's the theme of host Chris Bolinger's all-time favorite film. And the gist of the note that one sprinter handed to another one hundred years ago.

This week’s Bible passage: 1 Peter 4:8-11

Podcast resource: 52 Weeks of Strength for Men (ebook, paperback)

Other resources:

• Chris Bolinger’s other devotional: Daily Strength for Men
• Mike Hatch’s book: Manhood: Empowered by the Light of the Gospel
• Relational men’s discipleship programs: CLC

He leads men’s ministry at the main campus of one of the biggest churches in the U.S. But for Ronnie Cordrey, it’s not about the numbers — it’s about creating a culture of discipleship and disciple-making that reaches and grows men, one at a time.

As a result, Ronnie’s recommendations will be effective not just at a megachurch such as Southeast Christian Church in Louisville but in any men’s ministry context.

Whether you’re a pastor, a men’s ministry leader, or a guy who wants to see his friends grow deeper in their faith and live it out in their everyday lives, this interview is for you!

Email Ronnie at rcordrey@secc.org.

Why do you pray?

There are obvious, Sunday School answers to that question:

• God wants you to pray.
• Most people in the Bible prayed (e.g. David's 150 psalms are prayers).
• Jesus prayed and modeled that behavior to his disciples, even teaching them how to pray.

But why do you pray? Really?

It may be for the same reasons that Rocky prays in host Chris Bolinger's favorite Rocky film. 

This week’s Bible passage: Luke 18:1-8

Podcast resource: 52 Weeks of Strength for Men (ebook, paperback)

Other resources:

• Chris Bolinger’s other devotional: Daily Strength for Men
• Mike Hatch’s book: Manhood: Empowered by the Light of the Gospel
• Relational men’s discipleship programs: CLC

What if you had to lead a team after being dropped in behind enemy lines? While he was a Navy Seal, Charles Crouch learned to do just that.

God protected Charles as a Seal, even during times when he should have died. And God was preparing him to be a leader in a more profound battle for His kingdom’s sake.

Sensing that God was calling him to something, Charles left the Seals and took his family on a trip across the country. On that trip, he discovered the power of the Holy Spirit to use him and his family for God’s redemptive purposes.

As you hear his story, you’ll be reminded that all of us are operating behind enemy lines.

After leading his own business, Charles began facilitating executive roundtables of Christian business owners and entrepreneurs in Dallas through Truth at Work. His book, A Leader After God’s Own Heart, includes a 31-day leadership challenge. His mission statement is: “Make Monogamy and Being a Good Dad Sexy Again!”.

We love stories where someone's patience pays off. Like the story of Kurt Warner. He stocked shelves, played in the Arena Football League and in Europe, and sat the bench in the NFL before getting his chance to start. Then, of course, he made the most of it.

But for every Kurt Warner, there are thousands of guys who are just as talented, train just as hard, and never make it to the big leagues.

And then there’s you and me. We’re not working for a chance to operate on a big stage.

What's our payoff for being patient?

This week’s Bible passage: Galatians 6:7-10

Podcast resource: 52 Weeks of Strength for Men (ebook, paperback)

Other resources:

• Host Chris Bolinger’s other devotional: Daily Strength for Men
• Mike Hatch’s book: Manhood: Empowered by the Light of the Gospel
• Relational men’s discipleship programs: CLC

The world teaches us that a successful man is in charge, independent, and self-sufficient. Former Texas state representative Ron Simmons argues that success has more to do with living a meaningful life according to God’s purposes.

Ron has learned that it isn’t a lack of talent or ability that often holds us back. It’s the lure of the safe, comfortable path that threatens to keep us stuck in a rut of fear and negativity, speeding along with no clear destination, or passively catching a ride instead of taking initiative and action.

Join us as Ron shares insights from his new book, Life Lessons from the Little Red Wagon. Leave behind the ordinary and glide into the richly meaningful life you were intended to live.

Connect with Ron at RonSimmons.com.

Obedience is not a sexy topic. For a lot of guys, obedience is about as exciting as singing in church. You do it, or at least attempt to do it, because it’s what’s expected of you. But you’re not motivated to excel at it.

One the greatest hymns ever written tells us why we need to make consistent obedience a priority. And Jesus's words to his disciples at the Last Supper reveal how we can be obedient, every day. 

This week’s Bible passage: Romans 6:15-23

Podcast resource: 52 Weeks of Strength for Men (ebook, paperback)

Other resources:

• Host Chris Bolinger’s other devotional: Daily Strength for Men
• Mike Hatch’s book: Manhood: Empowered by the Light of the Gospel
• Relational men’s discipleship programs: CLC

If you are going to have a successful marriage, then you need to master conflict resolution. But there are two big obstacles to resolving conflicts in your marriage:

1.  Nearly 70 percent of the conflicts in relationships center on unresolvable, perpetual problems.
2. Men and women approach and handle conflict very differently. 

As a result, a lot of marital conflicts end up at an impasse. What's the answer?

Dr. Emerson Eggerichs says that the answer lies in Ephesians 5. 

This week’s Bible passage: Ephesians 5:25-33

Podcast resource: 52 Weeks of Strength for Men (ebook, paperback)

Other resources:

• Chris Bolinger’s other devotional: Daily Strength for Men
• Mike Hatch’s book: Manhood: Empowered by the Light of the Gospel
• Relational men’s discipleship programs: CLC

interview with Jonathan Cain referenced in this episode

Most men today are disempowered. Lost and groping in the dark, they are driven by fear and insecurity. Isolation and loneliness have led to dysfunctional marriages, broken families, and a society with no mooring to truth. Addictions to pornography, alcohol, drugs, and gaming have enslaved men and stolen our confidence.

At the 2023 Men’s Weekend, Mike Hatch spoke about the transformation that occurs when a man walks in the light of the gospel, where he is known by God, grown by God, and owned by God. This is the second of three talks that Mike gave, with a focus on being grown by God. Leveraging Philippians 2:13 — “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” — Mike explains how true growth is empowered and driven by the Holy Spirit.

As a recovering pornography addict himself, Mike is well acquainted with feelings of disempowerment and hopelessness. In Manhood: Empowered by the Light of the Gospel (book, audiobook), Mike explains the empowerment that comes from being known by God, having God as the source of power for character improvement, and transcending your own agenda to be a powerful tool in the hand of God. Walking in the light provides the contentment to accept all circumstances of life, the clarity to embrace your transcendent and redemptive purpose, and the freedom to live courageously once again. Learn more at EmpoweredManhood.com (digital course).

Some Christians posit that fear and anxiety are sinful, evidence of a lack of trust in God. Other Christians consider that viewpoint an oversimplification that can lead to destructive denial, guilt, and shame. The Bible, they say, offers compassion and answers, not condemnation.

Join host Chris Bolinger as he explores healthy ways to overcome fear and anxiety.

This week’s Bible passage:  Matthew 6:25-34 

Podcast resource: 52 Weeks of Strength for Men (ebook, paperback)

Other resources:

• Chris Bolinger’s other devotional: Daily Strength for Men
• Mike Hatch’s book: Manhood: Empowered by the Light of the Gospel
• Relational men’s discipleship programs: CLC

article from Australia referenced in this episode