In 2006 I wrote an article titled, “Maning The New Year”.  Now, 20 years later I am sensing the need to revisit this important message.

Three compelling (GIANT) realities are before us, and their growth and acceptance are being mightily used by our enemy.

#1 Globalization

The word itself can trigger varying emotions depending upon your world view. Some believe it is an inevitable reality if we are to survive economically. Others see it as a threat to our survival as a nation. No matter your view it is a process that continues and will have profound consequences. The essence of globalization is economics, the idea that if we are to survive as independent nations, we must share as equally as possible in the world economic community. While I do not doubt the wisdom or value of this assumption, I do not think we fully understand the attending challenges.

It is not possible to blend the world together around our most precious resources and money without taking into consideration the divergent moral values that will be attached. This great experiment we call America was founded upon some very important and powerful principles that were biblical at their core. As we embrace more of the secular systems associated with other nations and economies, we leave ourselves open to their growing and consuming our very way of life.  The rapid and unanswered expansion of Islam in our nation is a perfect example.   

#2 Secularization

Here is another word that is either loved or hated depending upon your perspective. To the non-Christian it is a necessary process to separate us from the narrow-minded and outdated idea that there is a God. To the Christian it is a threat to our very survival as a nation. However, no matter your view it is happening and at a mind dizzying rate. There is a concentrated and well-organized effort in America to remove any behavioral limitations based upon the Bible.

In the twenty years since I originally addressed this topic the secularists have stepped up their game and are winning the battle.  Without any moral compass we are seeing a mind-numbing increase in the number of young people being pulled into disgusting sexual behaviors leading many to resort to drugs and sadly suicide to cope.  When we decided to accept same-sex relationships and even marriage as normal, everything escalated.  Please understand here that I am talking about behavior—not people.

As Christians we must learn to differentiate between what people do and who they are—yes you should hate the behavior but not the person caught up in it.  God loves every single human being, and it breaks His heart when they make the wrong moral choices.  The sexual disfunction before us today, especially around the topic of transgenderism, is unprecedented and getting worse because of the explosion of our third challenge: pornography.

#3 Pornography

I do not know a man who would not admit that pornography has posed a major problem in their life. The following paragraph was taken from my article back in 2006:

The availability of pornography is at an all-time high. In recent studies an alarming number of toddlers are being exposed—even in our school systems. There is now talk in the multi-billion-dollar industry of finding ways to download porn to cell phones and MP3 players for any who want it. Can you imagine the number of young people with these devices who will be caught up in this.

Though it was easy to see this coming I never anticipated the speed and degree to which we have fallen.  In all my work with men over the years I have not found a bigger stumbling block leading toward separation from God than this one. As we consider these three realities it is easy to see them as giants in our land and I am reminded of the amazing story regarding the twelve spies.  Ten of those men saw the land, God’s promise to them, and saw the giants—they were seeing reality through their flesh and fallen state.

Joshua and Caleb, on the other hand, did not see the giants—only their God.  Why?  It is the same reason David did not see Goliath—his intimate relationship with his God would not allow him to consider any obstacle. These men saw their future through God’s eyes and not the circumstances they encountered. Men, the only way you and I can do this is for us to go deeper with our Lord.

This leads me to my final and most important challenge for us men in 2026, developing a deeper intimacy with God. 

NOTE: Before you read on, please view this brief 3-minute video unpacking The Secret To Life.

The Secret to Lifeyoutu.be

Intimacy with God

In our flesh attempting to have an impact upon these realities we see before us is impossible—they truly are gigantic. I am not suggesting that we give up and do nothing, however. What I am suggesting is something many of us Christians have forgotten—turning all this around begins with me and therein lies our challenge. Could it be that our failure to make a difference may be because I do not have a right relationship with God? I am reminded of the often-used quote by Oswald Chambers—God will not do any more through you than you first allow Him to do in you.

I am convinced the biggest challenge facing men today lies in our inability to get close to God. Men, let me say this with all the power that words can muster—this is our battle to win or lose. You will never overcome any of the giants in your life with drugs, psychobabble or even strong accountable relationships. Only an intimate relationship with our Lord will work.

Let me also encourage you to not let 2026 be just another year. Determine to get closer to God and let nothing get in your way. When you do, you will not see yourself as a grasshopper and the giants before you will disappear. Put that stake in the ground right now and determine to make it happen.

Here are some ideas for you to consider this year:

• Schedule daily, quality quiet time with God even if it means getting up an hour or two earlier—remember here that the implications are critical.
• Put on some soft Christian music and spend some time just being quiet and worship Him.
• Read the Bible every day—use a read through the Bible in a year plan.
• Find a good daily devotional to read. I like Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest.
• Develop a list of everyone you are led to pray for and pray for each of them every day.
• Get in the habit of journaling your times with God.

God has clearly stated the following: Be holy as I am holy. (1Pet 1:15) That is the mandate He gives us. That is a life-or-death challenge. We must boldly together, choose life.hoose l

An angel from the Lord suddenly appeared to them. The glory of the Lord filled the area with light, and they were terrified.  Luke 2:9

Most Bible scholars surmise that Jesus was born at night.  That idea seems so appropriate to me—our Savior came into a dark world with His incredible light.  Also notice that His light, which surrounded the shepherds, truly surprised them.  This Christmas as we celebrate this glorious event let’s allow the light and glory of our Lord to illuminate any dark places you may be going through at this time.  I know that for many this time of year can be a challenge. 

For Cindy and me, this past month has been difficult as Cindy had to spend 6 days in the hospital battling some issues related to her compromised lungs.  Many of you have been praying for her and we truly appreciate that.  Her recovery is slow but steady and headed in the right direction.  In addition, our daughter Kim has just undergone a hip replacement surgery and is home recovering. 

Though we find ourselves in not the best of circumstances, we are deciding to rejoice in the celebration of the birth of our precious Lord and want to encourage you to do the same.  You may want to begin by reading Matthew and Luke chapters 1 and 2.  Meditate upon this wonderful story and allow a spirit of thanksgiving to overflow you.

Ask God to help you grasp the incredible significance of what He did for us over 2,000 years ago.  Then, pray for those of your family and friends who you may encounter over these holidays that you rarely see and do not know the Lord.  Pray that the Lord gives you the opportunity to sew into their hearts what He as sewn into yours.  We all know how awkward and difficult this can be, especially with family.  Ask for discernment—sometimes all you need is to show kindness and love to plant the seed.

Finally, from our family to yours—we are praying for a very special Christmastime for you and your loved ones.  May our God richly bless you in this wonderful season and give you wisdom and discernment as you enter this new season.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?   I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.  
Isaiah 43:19

Our Family

Our first born grandson, Parker with his bride Randi and our first great grandson, Deacon

In Colorado, our grandson Hunter and his new bride, Kulia (left) and our grandson Colton with his bride-to-be, Charity

Hezekiah was as helpless against the powers arrayed against him as we are from the evil arising in this current moment.

 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord.  
Isaiah 37:14

As we enter what will probably be one of the most challenging moments in our nation’s history it is time to get serious about how we are to live our lives as believers in Jesus.  I want to suggest what I believe ought to be the-way-forward for every believer by visiting the story Hezekiah and Sennacherib.

I want to suggest that Senechereb, as depicted here, is a type for our enemy.  In this story Hezekiah is being told by the great and powerful enemy of his day that he is going to be defeated—totally destroyed.  If you study the verses leading up to Isaiah 37:14 you will find Sennacherib taunting Hezekiah—what makes you think your God is going to protect you?  Look at all the other nations we conquered—none of their gods were able to help them. 

He even claimed that the Lord told him to do this.  He tried to bribe Hezekiah and even spoke over him to his people in their own language.  He warned the people not to listen to Hezekiah.  Follow me and you will eat…  Hezekiah would not be intimidated—the Lord already told him that Sennacherib would fall by his own sword.

I see an amazing likeness to what is happening today.  Sennacherib, representing our enemy—true darkness, is attempting to intimidate you and me, believers in Jesus.  He is using familiar tactics—creating doubt, what makes you think your God is going to save you.  Talking over us, in the language of the unsaved, to suggest we are not looking out for their best interest.  He even suggests socialism by saying if you follow me you will eat…have everything you want.

Hezekiah here is a powerful picture for our day of the proper response for the Christian man.  Let’s unpack Hezekiah’s response and see if God might be teaching us something very important.  The above verse, Isaiah 37:14, is one of my favorite verses to share and highlight. Here Hezekiah receives a letter outlining everything Sennacherib is threatening to do to him.  It is the clear message of what his enemy is intending to do.

What did he do?  He took it to the Temple and spread it out before the Lord.  Of course we do not know what that physically looked like but I love our picture.  It depicts the king placing his earthly crown on the ground beside him, bowing down before his Lord, and then spreading out the report from his enemy.  And here is what happened next:

 And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.  Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.

It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands.  They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands.  Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Lord, are the only God.  
Isaiah 37:15-20

Wow—a lot here and a very important and timely takeaway for us during this season.  I am persuaded that we are living in a Hezekiah moment right now.  This month, October, 2024, may be the most difficult and dark month many will have ever experienced.  There is a powerful enemy attempting to take over our country and world.  I do not doubt, nor do I have anything but total respect for our duty to vote and be involved, but that is not where the battle is going to be won.  We are way beyond what man can do.

It is a spiritual battle and while many of us give intellectual ascent to that, few of us are doing what Hezekiah is modeling for us.  Here is what I am encouraging all who call upon the name of Jesus to do:

• Lay down your earthly crown—acknowledge that any fleshly confidence in your own giftings or authority is insufficient here.
• Literally find a place where you can kneel and prostrate yourself before the living God.
• Find news clippings or take your tablet or phone with information about all the ugliness going on around us and lay it on the ground floor in front of you.
• Then, pray Hezekiah’s prayer.
  • Lord Almighty, recognizing His holiness
  • God of Israel (America), acknowledging His rule in our land
  • Listen to all…the enemy is doing and saying as he ridicules You
  • Lord deliver us from his hand
  • Let the world know that You, Lord are the only God.

May I encourage you to start today—and every day throughout this election season—to do this.  God answers prayer—it is not enough to believe this—WE MUST DO IT!

Later in this story it says that the Lord added 15 years to Hezekiah’s life—is it possible that our Lord is going to add new life into our land?

Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, and those who contend with you shall perish.  
Isaiah 41:11

Also please enjoy this 12-minute teaching from Vince on What Is My Motive?   

https://youtu.be/ZEvx0qDYL78