Welcome to the Lion Within Us, a podcast sermon Christian man who are hungry to be the leaders God intends you to be. I’m your host, Chris Granger. Let’s jump in. All right, guys. It’s your spiritual kickoff of the week. I’m excited to have you here. Let’s dive right into the word. Okay, now we’re gonna be in the book of Ecclesiastes.

Okay. Ecclesiastes chapter two verse 24. Just one verse says, A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own coil. This too. I see is from the hand of God. Wonderful verse right there. God, it’s a wonderful verse. Now, first of all, we need to understand where is Ecclesiastes.

I totally get it. Sometimes these Old Testament. Uh, books can be hard to find. So this is gonna be one of the easiest ones you’ll be able to find in your Bible. Okay? Because of the Proverb Day tip, we give you the line within us. You know, you’re supposed to be reading a proverb day for whatever day of the week of the month it is, right?

So if it’s the first day of the month, it reads proverb verse one. If it’s the 20th day of the month, you read Proverb 20th, so forth like that. So Ecclesiastes comes right after. So right after that you’ll get, you’ll get the Ecclesiastes. There you go. Pretty, pretty easy to find. So Solan wrote this book.

And it’s a pretty interesting study to say the least. He spends the first part of this book actually talking about the futility of life. Cause he’s hammering on things like the cycle of life, human wisdom, pleasure, wealth, materialism. You know, it’s kind of like the whole vanity, vanity of vanities type, right?

But then he gets a dis verse, which is an interesting part cuz this is his part of his conclusion and see how his tone changes. He goes from vanity of vanities to, there is nothing better than work. When you think about that guys, cause this week we’ll be talking a lot about our careers and our work and the work that we do and why does that work matter?

And guys, it is a big, big deal. We are called to work. It tells us right there in, in Colossians three, uh, 23, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for human masters. So this should really helps to clear some things up for us guys as, as we kind of get behind the motive, behind the work that drives our, that drives us, right?

It’s our human nature to work. We need to work. We gotta get in there and do the work that we called to do. But I don’t know about you, but when our work has a purpose, man, you feel valued. You feel encouraged, and you, you, and when you do that, you can be super clear, super clear on why working is so important.

Because so many times we get, we got this rabbit trail of, you know what, we’re just a another day. We’re just got, gosh, I gotta go to work today. Can you believe it? No. Guys, this is not here. This is not what the, the Lord is telling us. Let’s look at this verse and getting encouraged by this verse. Cause it’s clear, super clear on on the why behind it.

Right here. Tell us the primary driver. There’s nothing we can do. Nothing to do better than eat, drink, and find satisfaction in our own toil. This is it. We have to find that satisfaction from the Lord cuz it is from the hand, God. Right? Think about when’s the last time you had satisfaction at your work?

Right? When was the last time you came home from work? Actually happy, right? And not, not upset, right? Or, or better yet, you woke up in the morning. Not only did you, did you wake up? Praise the Lord. We all wake up in the morning, right? That’s how you know that that God’s not done with you. The alarm clock and the empty tune as Pastor Joby says, but seriously, you wake up and you’re ready and you’re excited go to work.

And I don’t know about you, but there’s a lot of guys who do not feel this way. We wake up and like, oh man, here we go again. The the rat race, right? But I will pro, I can tell you this, ever since we started in line within us, So about, you know, 18, 20 months, it’s been, it time’s just flying by. I found an energy and a drive and a desire to do work and it’s, it’s the work he’s called me to do.

And I can tell you guys, this is not easy. This is exhausting. It is, it is complicated to say the least, because this is all this whole entrepreneurs. Business and trying to, to grow a podcast into a community, it’s overwhelming and all these things. That’s a good day, right? That’s a good day. But at the same time, it’s the most fulfilling, the most meaningful work I’ve ever experienced.

I’m telling you, I’ve been to the point where some, we have so many events and I go to so many events, we’re delight with none of us. Sometimes I just don’t have the energy. I’m tired. I’m like, you know what? I don’t wanna do this. But when I get there, I get around to other Christian brothers and we’re, we’re growing in Christ together and we’re doing the work that he’s called us to do.

There is something invigorating about that. There’s something energizing about that and it just gets me fueled up and I’m ready to go. I’m ready to serve. Right? Many of you guys know I still work another job, so outside the line within us, we’re still growing this. I have, I have another job and I’ve had some, a lot of success in that career too, in that career as well.

Over 20 years at that company, guys, it’s been awesome, but I can tell you one thing. All, all those fulfilling moments I’ve had in that, that career pay on the comparison to the success we’ve had at The Lion, because if you look at it a traditional scale, the way guys will look at it from a strictly a monetization standpoint, you know, it’d be crazy.

Like Chris used, I, I’ve earned bonuses, very significant bonuses in my past guys. But even one member, one member, the line within us brings me more joy, more fulfillment than any bonus I’ve ever received at the other company. But why? Because it’s aligning to the work that God has called me to do. It’s just so much more satisfaction and I don’t how to tell you this other than, you know, you have to trust in him.

I don’t know what, what is in store for the line within us. I know one thing, we’re gonna be obedient. We’re gonna do what he’s called us to do and we’re gonna try to just lean into this purpose that he’s given us to the vision to get out there and serve Christian men, to help them be the leader God tends them to be.

And I, I know at the end of the day, I’m just gonna trust them guys. Maybe that’s what you need to hear today because you, I don’t know where you are. You are in your career. There’s so many different listeners out there. Maybe you work in a factory. Maybe you work in a four room. Maybe you’re on in, in sales and you’re on a sales call right now.

You’re headed in between sales calls or maybe you are entrepreneur or real estate or whatever you find yourself in. You know what? As long as you wear God’s desires you to be okay and you’re acting in obedience, you can find the satisfaction that that Solomon is talking about right here. I promise you that you do not me clarify one thing.

You do not have to be in a quote unquote ministry position to do the work God called you to do. No, no. At at the Lion, we’re not a church, but we are doing the work that God called us to do and we’re a very good supplement. But you know what? The same thing can be said for you, Mr. Business guy who’s out there on a sales call right now.

I know a lot of you guys are, or are you driving that truck right now making that delivery? Where you’re on that factory floor, you’re making that product. Whatever you find yourself doing, you can do God’s work. You can, you can lean into it. You can beat a light wherever you are. You just gotta see his path.

You have to trust in him and then you won’t be, be trying to chase around this rabbit trail of happy, because you know what? Trying to chase this rabbit trail. Happy guys. It’s just, it’s miserable. You’re never gonna get it. And if you do get it for just one little brief moment, it’ll, it’ll flee away. And so many guys out there are chasing that neck promotion, right.

If I could just get that next promotion. Chris, if I could just get that one, then you know what, I’d be making X percentage more money per year. I’d have this many more vacation days and, and then we’d have it. Oh yeah, that’s, you’d have it then, huh? And guess what your expenses would, would follow along just with that.

Cuz I know how you guys are cuz I’m the same way. Oh, I was the same way as income goes up. So those are expenses. It just, is it, I don’t. Was old rap, solve more money, more problems. That is a lot of truth in that song, and I don’t know a lot of else about that song. We learned that one line, but I’m telling you, we are all just chasing this thing.

And what if you have to be careful? What if the what you’re chasing, right? What if that ladder you’re climbing is bleeding against the wrong building? Have you ever considered that? Maybe you’re chasing something that, that you know what? For you it makes sense, but for God, it’s like, what are you doing, bro?

I have so much more for you over here. Listen to me, follow me, obey. I want you to have satisfaction in your work, but I want you to do the work that I have my hand on. That’s what our father’s calling us, so think about that. This is amazing. It’s really cool when you actually sit back and you think about it, that we can have satisfaction in our careers.

You don’t have to wake up and be like, here we go again. No, you can wake up and here we go again. See the change. The words didn’t change, but the tone definitely did. Right, and that’s what I want for you guys. That’s why it’s so important to take scripture like this, simplify, buy it to our life. So right now, if you, if you believe that God’s word is true, There’s there, there’s nothing false in it.

That is 100% of the word of God is living, breathing, and you can take this verse right here today and apply it to your, to your career. I promise you it will make a difference. But you have to lean into it. You have to lean into somewhat uncomfortable situations. You gotta say, you know what? God may call me to do something that I’m not exactly comfortable with.

I’m, I don’t know how I’m gonna make any money at that God with you. Just trust him. You surround yourself with other Christian men. You get, you get, and you follow his path. I’m telling you guys, there is freedom in that. Is it gonna be easy? No. Well, it may not be what you’re thinking about right now. You may be going from making, hold up on this boys.

You may be making well as six plus figures right now, but God’s calling you to another, to another line of work that you have to take a pay cut. Now, it may just be temporarily right now. Doesn’t mean it’s gonna, it’s gonna be always that way, but sometimes you have to step back to step up. Right. So just be careful here guys, but I promise you lean into the work that he’s called you to do and you’ll find satisfaction like no other.

And we know he cares for us. We know he loves us. And that fellas is how you unleashed the line then. So the question I got for you this week is, are you doing the work you were called to do? Ask yourself that question. Seriously. You may be a vice president at a bank right now. You may be a president or c e o of a company, but has God called you to that?

If he has, do all, you can lean into that work. You take pos, take advantage of the position that God has given you and lean into others and help grow others. But if you’re not, you’re not doing that work, he’s called you to do. I want you to take some real, some time this week and pray over it. Okay? Lord, I feel like you’re time to tell me I want, you want me to do something different with my life.

What is it I’m willing to listen? What is it? Then once he tells you, you’ve listened, Robert Misha wrote here, fellas, you gotta obey. Gotta obey. Okay. Alright, Phyllis. Now if you’re new to the line within us on our spiritual kickoffs, we love to take an opportunity to share the good news of the Gospel with others cuz we never know who’s listening.

You may be out there listening right now, you just happen to find this podcast and you’re, you’re kind of enjoying some of the messages. And rah rah, we’re making you feel good. But it ain’t about making you feel good. It’s about bringing you to a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you never surrenders your, your, your life to the lordship of Jesus Christ, today is your day.

You do not miss today as, as, as your opportunity to surrender to him. Guys, I’m telling you, there is something powerful when you just give, admit that, you know what? I ain’t got this, that I’m a sinner and need of a savior. I I’m not a mistake in need of a life coach. I’m a sinner, need of a savior and I need Jesus and my life.

So the cool part is that’s all you have to do. You have to admit this, your center. Then you have to believe, believe in all your heart, that somehow Jesus, when he came to this earth and, and he paid the penalty for our sins on that, on that cross, somehow that countered for you. If you believe that, if you believe that Jesus is the son of God and he paid the penalty for your sin and that he a, he arose after being, after being crucified three days later, and he sits at the right hand of the Father right now and it says, no one gets to the to have to the Father, except through him.

If you believe that and you know that Jesus is the only the way, the truth and the life, and you believe that he is, Lord, confess it. Just confess it. Lord, I surrender my life to you. I know I can’t do anything in this life on my own. I need you to guide me. I need you to direct me. God, I give you that all I surrender, surrender, and I want to obey.

So if at this point, if you’ve ready to surrender your life to a lordship in Jesus Christ, I just wanna come alongside you. I want to just commend you. I want to just encourage you. So right now, let’s pray this prayer together as we accept Jesus as our savior. Father, I’m not sure who’s listening right now, what man or what woman is out there, but they’re confessing to you as Lord Savior right now.

I just, I, I, I, I pray that you just touched their hearts, that you give them that peace, it passes all understanding that you show them that father, that you, uh, you have plans for them, that you want to, to help them grow in their spiritual walk. And I just pray God that we can come around them and help encourage them right now as they begin their Christian journey.

Just stand strong against the attacks of the evil one cuz the attacks are going to come. Lord, we know that. It’s not a if, but, uh, but, but when they come, That tax are gonna come. That, that you put people, that you put in their life that can help God direct them, and that they are obedient to the Holy Spirit, which now ENT dwells their heart and you, God, direct them on their path.

We pray all this corner your will in Jesus name. Amen. Alright, so if you just accepted Christ as your Savior, I want you to do me a favor. Send me an email at support at the line with us. I got some resources I’m gonna send you around scripture. You need to start memorizing. I even want to give you a Bible study.

We wrote a Bible study. I want to give it to you. So if you accepted Christ as your savior, I wanna hook you up. I want to just one, just give you a big old virtual fist bump. Hey, welcome to the club. Let’s go do we have more, some work to do now. So I will really support@thelinewith.us is the easiest way to send me an email.

I check that email all the time. I’ll get that those resources out to you. No charge, nothing like that. This is just trying to serve you, trying to help you grow and you’re Christian walk. So guys, that’s what it’s all about. So hopefully this spot, if this episode serves you well and you’re ready to do the work that God’s called you to do, or maybe you know a buddy who’s struggling in his work right now or her work right now, share this one now.

Because this could be one that really encourages those, uh, within our careers to really take that time to examine it. See, am I doing what I’ve been called to do and what is what it look like? If I really worked a surrender to the Lordship, what would that mean for me? My career, my family? Now guys, I hoping you come back on Wednesday because this episode we’re gonna have this week.

We have an a expert, an absolute expert with all things career. You’re gonna know ’em immediately as soon as you hear the co, the episode, I promise you guys, this is gonna be one you’re not gonna wanna mess cuz this is gonna try to really bring this and hit some hard truths surrounding our career, our passions, and our purpose and all.

All that guys, all that stuff passed together. Don’t ever miss that for a second. All right. Now for our, for our spiritual kickoff guys, the ones that, that really enjoy, these s Kos, we offer this each and every day within the line within us Monday through Friday. So if you’re, uh, uh, would like more spiritual kickoffs come join us.

I go live every morning and we do a spiritual kickoff. We read God’s word. We spend time and, and the word together, guys are able to chat with me directly interact. Chat with each other. It’s a great way to get started with the line within US community. If you haven’t jumped into the community yet, uh, it’s an easier way to get started too.

So go check out. There’s links in the show notes where you can do that. Again, we, we spent time in God’s word Monday through Friday every day. And look, if you can’t ever make any of the lives, we post ’em in the community as well. So you can watch ’em, you can get that, that, that daily spiritual kickoff boost that you need.

We offer that Monday through Friday within the line within us. So go check out the show notes. We have links there to get that spiritual kickoff community going. Again, we want you in our main primary, the line within US community, but we know not. That may not be it for everyone right now. So this is a great way to get started with us, to engage, to connect with me, have conversations.

I would love to see you in that community so we can serve you moving forward. So again, you haven’t joined the main primary community. That’s where we really want you, where we have our events or ask me anything. Our Bible study, our masterminds, guys, we have it all going on. Everything. It’s pretty much every one day a week, lion lunches.

We have all these different events happening within the lion within us. We need to have you there cuz we need men that to be the iron that sharpens iron. So take the, the chance right now. Jump on over to the line with us. That’s the line within us. And get started today and I’ll see you inside the community.

Come on back on Wednesday for the big episode. I guarantee you, if you are a have career, if you’re, if you’re out there working, this is gonna be one you’re not gonna wanna miss. We’re well, hopefully we can bring you some insights and some wisdom to help you grow in your career. So remember this verse at Ecclesiastes 2 24.

A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too I see is from the hand of God, and I pray guys, that you see the hand of God moving and the work that you’re doing. So get after it. Have a great week. Look forward to seeing you back here for our meat episode, and keep unleashing the lion with it.

Are you enjoying the weekly spiritual kickoff? If so, we are now offering a way to participate in our live daily spiritual kickoffs that happen Monday through Friday in our community. This is your chance to chat with me directly and other members of our community to dive into scripture. And to leave with practical ways to simplify and apply God’s word to your daily walk.

And here’s the best part. You get all of this for just $5 a month. So for what most people pay for a breakfast meal, you can join us on this journey of spiritual growth and leadership, which will always lead you full. Our community is dedicated to supporting each other and pushing forward in our faith.

Come join me in Alliance Den and become the leader God intends you to be. Sign up now@thelionwithin.us. And let’s start this journey together. Remember, it’s only $5 a month for this amazing opportunity, so visit the line with.us so you don’t miss out.