If you're a man reading this devo, I am encouraged. You see, I believe the number of women reading these daily devo's far exceeds the number of men. I can't base that on any scientific analysis or polling result, it's just my gut feeling after praying for guidance before writing this devo. Which is why I am so thankful for you. If you are a man reading this devo, you are a rare but powerful resource. I am so glad you are here. Please keep reading.

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If you're a woman reading this devo, please don't check out. God created us male and female. Each completes the other. We depend on each other. What benefits one, benefits the other. What we learn about one, helps us learn about the other. Since our lives are so intertwined, you may be interested to learn why more men aren't reading devos.

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“Reading this devo” is my figurative way in saying, “seeking Jesus.” When we pray, go to church, or read devos, we are seeking Jesus. To do these things reveals our heart for Jesus. My gut feeling tells me that more women than men are seeking Jesus. If true, the question is why? The answer, I'm afraid, is how God created us men.

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Now, don't get me wrong, God's creation is perfect. Unfortunately, man enabled sin to enter His creation, and that's where the issue lies with us men. God created men to be protectors, providers, teachers, and fixers. We are wired to be self-sustaining. That in itself is not a bad thing. The problem is sin. Sin gave us men a prideful and rebellious spirit. For an example, look no further than the very first man, Adam. God gave Adam authority over everything God created except one thing, God did not allow Adam to become God. Adam was subservient, and men don't like being subservient. We are weak in that way.

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After the fall and sin was introduced to the world, culture and social pressures added to man's rebellious nature. Don't believe me? Then ask yourself why is it so hard for a man to ask for directions. Man's rebellion grew with such intensity, severity, and wickedness, God wiped out all men with a flood. All men, that is, except Noah and his family (Gen. 7:23).

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Noah was a righteous man (Gen. 6:9). Put simply, “righteous” means to be “right with God.” As Micah points out, part of being righteous is “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Mic. 6:8). The Lord “requires” these things of men. So, I ask you, can you be right with God without seeking God?

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Micah 6:8 lists just three traits God requires of men. There's many others in the Bible, like repentance (Acts 2:38), service (Rom. 12:11), faith (John 6:29), and the greatest of all, love (Matt. 22:37). Men, can we achieve these requirements with our own strength? I'll confess, I can't. I believe it's impossible without Jesus. Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). To be righteous, we must overcome our instinctive rebellious nature and seek Jesus.

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And this isn't easy. Everything secular in our fallen world is telling men, you must go it alone, or else you are weak. But Jesus, as he so often does, flips the tables of the world and says, what you think is weakness, is actually strength (2 Cor. 12:9).  

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It takes incredible inner strength to surrender to Jesus.

If you are a man reading this devo, I believe you have that inner strength. That's why I'm so encouraged you are here. God's Kingdom needs men like you. You are perfect witnesses to other men of how seeking Jesus takes strength. What man views as weakness, God views as strength. Go forth and spread that truth. Maybe this devo will help you start a discussion with a friend.

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And women, you reinforce that inner strength within us men. We need you. That's one of the reasons God said it's not good for man to be alone (Gen. 2:18). We can't live a life of surrender (i.e. strength) without you. Your support and words of encouragement are more valuable than gold!

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Everyone, be encouraged that seeking Jesus demonstrates strength. Flip the tables of the world by surrendering to Him. Your witness will strengthen His Kingdom, one life at a time.

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Lord, I will be quiet. Holy Spirit, please speak to me about what it means for me to surrender to You. Thank you.