Michael’s Birthday continued…

Michael,
As you have officially entered the phase of manhood I want you to know that I am so proud of you! I love you, care for you, and consider you part of my very own family. You are one of my boys!

When I think of you Michael, I think of a warrior. This is what God has deposited in your spirit. Yes, this is lived out when you do things like play sports – but it is much more than that. It is something deeply rooted in who you are. You are God’s warrior, and your life will be about warring for the things in His Kingdom that are most on His heart. You are the ‘knight in shining armor’ for countless numbers of orphans, widows, and disenfranchised people God has called you to.

I was amazed as I watched you interact with those orphans in Africa. You acted like a true man, you carried yourself with dignity, and you fought for something greater than this world could ever offer.

I don’t know if you realized it or not, but what happened at Tembini was much more than simply an act of you giving your shoes to a beautiful little girl. It was prophetic and symbolic. Prophetic in this sense: Moses was commanded to remove his shoes when he stood before God and the burning bush because of two things. One, the place where he was standing was holy. Two, because he was in the literal presence of God. You took off your shoes that day because God had you standing on something that was holy for you. That was hollowed ground, and you were in the literal presence of God. This is who God has called you to be. Here is the symbolic/prophetic part: You are Moses to a nation of orphans God will send you to and you will be His agent to set them free!

You have an incredible anointing on your life and I am honored to help you steward it throughout your lifetime. This is what is so awesome about becoming a man. You get called out by men, and then you join a community of men who you get to walk through life with.

On this day I want to pass on some things to you for you to remember and hold on to as you walk through life. I pray they are anchors, tent stakes, driven deep in the ground so you become immovable – a man blameless, upright in character, and on whom the favor of the Lord rests mightily.

1. Always protect and guard your name. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” God has given you a good name. Honor it, preserve that truth, riches and honor will follow.
2. Always be a man. What is a man? What marks maturity? In the Bible, true maturity does not consist in being able to kill a lion. True maturity is spiritual. It is wisdom in knowing God and His will, and being able to carry it out in your life. Proverbs 1:1-7 – The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

For attaining wisdom and discipline;
       for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
       doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple,
       knowledge and discretion to the young-
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
       and let the discerning get guidance-
for understanding proverbs and parables,
       the sayings and riddles of the wise.

 
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
       but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

3. Always pray for, and seek with your whole heart, the favor of the Lord. Many men throughout the Bible sought God’s favor, including Moses, and it was a powerful force in their life. My blessing on you is Psalm 90:16-17, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.”
4. Always take 100% personal responsibility for your life. Don’t take the path of a victim and blame others for where you are in life, who does what to you, or what happens to you. That will never change anything. The man says, wait a minute, I’m going to accept responsibility here because then I have the power to change my circumstances. Be the man in every circumstance.

   I love you man of God! Keep the faith, finish the race, run hard after God, and fight for the fatherless!

 Tom

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” – Philippians 3:12-14.

Tom Davis is the president of Children’s HopeChest and my best friend. I will speak the word of the Lord over your six the way you have prophesied over mine!