Chris Grainger: 1:10

Welcome to the Lion Within Us, a podcast serving Christian men who are hungry to be the leaders God intends you to be. I'm your host, chris Granger. Let's jump in. All right, fellas, spiritual kickoff time. Let's go, ok. So this week we are in the book of Zechariah, chapter four, the 10th verse. It says do not despise these small things, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. Beautiful verse, fellas. And now let's see how we can simplify and apply it to our life. And reminder if you enjoy the spiritual kickoff episodes every week and they come out every Monday we do these Monday through Friday within the Lion Within Us community. It's a completely free offering that we have out there for you guys. So if you enjoy it and you're looking for a little bit more, head over to thelionwithinus. Start your daily spiritual kickoff experience. Get in there for free, plug in, we go live. If you don't make the live, don't worry, we post the recordings. This is again exclusive, behind-the-scenes content. We don't put it anywhere else. It doesn't go to the YouTube channel or anywhere like that, fellas. The only place you get it is within our platform. So head over to DelilahWithinus to get that started. Okay.

Chris Grainger: 2:22

So now we need to understand when we look at God's Word. First of all, where is it? Where is the book of Zechariah? It can be a little bit difficult to find, but it's in your Old Testament and if you go to your New Testament, the last book of the Old Testament is Malachi. Right and right before that is Zechariah. Ok, so that's really kind of give you a little place as one of the minor prophets, not because he didn't have anything important to say, but because it was a smaller, a shorter book, rather. So that's where you're going to find Zechariah, and this week we're going to find Zachariah, and this week we're going to be talking to a very successful, a very successful guy, and he liked this verse. He pulled this verse out and it made me think, because the world we live in really glorifies success. But, more importantly, the world when we start thinking about it, it's all about that instant success. Right, like right now. What can I do to get popular right now? What can I do to go viral? Right, I need to be overnight breakthrough period, and it can be so daunting To that it's easy to overlook the power of starting small.

Chris Grainger: 3:23

Because we want to leap Right, we don't want to take crawl and take the little necessary steps. We want to be arriving. We don't want to be building. Crawl and take the little necessary steps. We want to be arriving. We don't want to be building. But the scripture shows us right here.

Chris Grainger: 3:34

God loves those small beginnings, guys. He rejoices when we do the work right, however slow, humble or unimpressive we may think that it is. Or it may appear that he's all about putting in the work okay, and the reality is. I know for me, starting small kind of feels like a failure, because the world wants you to be able to scale quickly. Now we have been building things at the line within us for years.

Chris Grainger: 4:02

Now we're in our fourth year and I wish if I could just go back and tell Chris, who started the line, any advice. He would just be like look bro, stay consistent, don't worry about your what, the goals that you have. It's good to have goals, but if you're walking in obedience with the Lord, that is the most, most important thing by far. Right, and maybe for you it's that little side project that God's calling you to, that no one really sees, but you know you need to do it. Whatever, that is right. That little quiet act of faithfulness, right. When there's no applause there, man. That's what sets us apart and that daily choice to show up and to lean in. Maybe it's just leading your family well right now. Maybe that literally is the season that you're in and God needs you to show up right there.

Chris Grainger: 4:55

And it can feel very underwhelming when you look around at all the what gets accolades and what gets clicks and attention out there. It can be underwhelming, just to be like man. I'm not sure, I don't even think this stuff matters at all. But Zachariah shows us something right here, god sees it and God rejoices. So let's think about in the context of Zachariah 4. He's going through the rebuilding of the temple and this is a big, big task. I mean, just think about a major construction project, right, and every major construction project starts with the beginning, a foundation, right and right. Here nothing had even been laid yet, but God rejoiced in that moment because faithfulness had taken root, because they decided to move forward, they were taking the steps. And that principle applies for us, because the world may overlook our individual beginnings, but heaven, god, is celebrating it. Man. And let's be honest, man, let's just think about this for a second.

Chris Grainger: 6:04

Obedience is not flashy, it just doesn't. It's not going to show up in a headline. It doesn't sell. It isn't glamorous to forgive somebody when it's hard, it's just not. And it's not exciting to keep showing up in a difficult marriage Maybe your marriage is tough. It's not exciting to show up and just to be that consistent, day to day father that your kids just know you're going to be there, day-to-day father that your kids just know you're going to be there. And it can be daunting as well to take that first step towards whatever God has laid on your heart.

Chris Grainger: 6:40

But I'm telling you, these steps, these showing up day in and day out, that's the steps he uses to shape us, to shape our character, to shape our trust in him and for us to write the stories that we're telling. Because it's doing what he's called us to do, because faithful obedience, guys, please hear this, this entire message, please hear this. It is not about public recognition, it's about that private resolve, it's about choosing to follow his voice, even when it's quiet, right, and it goes against what culture is telling us to do. Because that kind of faith, guys, that's where legacies are built, that's where an impact truly is made and that's the type of leader that God desires us to be. And I'm telling you, fellas, if you want the faith that moves mountains, it starts with taking the first step. We're never going to move a mountain until we take the first step of obedience.

Chris Grainger: 7:37

And for you, maybe, right now, whatever that season of life is, it could be that you're just staring at a blank page, or you have a very small audience, or it's an underwhelming task. You're just thinking, bro, this ain't even worth it. Are you kidding me? I must tell you the answer is yes, because look, yeah, the podcast has grown, our YouVersion Bible studies have grown, things like that. But when we started it was zero, zero.

Chris Grainger: 8:04

And still, if I compare where we're at with others, I can be very discouraged. But that's not it. I have to compare where I'm at to where does God want me to be, because I'm taking obedience and steps and what God's called me to do. That's all that matters. So you may be thinking you know what? I don't have the energy to get started. I'm just here to tell you yes, you do, you have the energy for the first step.

Chris Grainger: 8:30

Now you may be think about the whole picture, may be overwhelming and causes us to just have analysis, paralysis. We don't do anything. That's not what he's asking. He's asking for that early moment Starts with a moment, just a moment. Remember every harvest starts with one seed right. And God is not asking for anything flashy boys, he's asking for faithful. We just have to say the answer has to be yes. So my encouragement to you look, take the step, take the step, make the call, start the group, whatever it is, launch the mission, apologize, show up, lay the stone, just start, because God's not just noticing when you do this, he's rejoicing. It makes such a big difference, guys. That's my encouragement.

Chris Grainger: 9:22

As we start thinking about this verse out of Zechariah, it's time for some Christian men to get off the sidelines and get into the doggone game. I'm telling you, for starting a lion, I'm so grateful that I didn't let the fear of failing stop me from starting, and my wife gave me this little thing up here. It says big things often have small beginnings, and I keep that in front of me all. And we're not big by any means, fellas, but we're bigger than we were. Right and prayerfully, the Lord's going to keep moving in some significant ways and we'll keep growing, but it starts by every day making that decision to follow him, him.

Chris Grainger: 10:17

So my question for you this week is where have you let fear of insignificance keep you from taking those steps of obedience? And I'm telling you, when you start really wrestling with questions like that, it can be hard. It can be hard because the truth can be very um, at least a sour taste in our mouth, doesn't it, when we really start thinking about that. And I'm just going to tell you as a final reminder man, don't compare yourself to others. That has crippled more fever and fire. And determination from guys, because we start looking around what others are doing. Stop it, bro, put the blinders on and focus. And determination from guys because we start looking around with others to do it. Stop it, bro, put the blinders on and focus and lock in on him. If we do, if you do that, I promise you, as someone who does this, at least I try to every day just lock in.

Chris Grainger: 11:06

All right, god, what do you mean to do today? What do you mean to build today? How do you mean to encourage someone else today? He will show you. If you don't know Christ as your personal Savior and you listen to the lion within us, for some reason, I just want to say thank you, you're here. I don't know why God put you here. Maybe you're curious and you're just not really sure what this whole Christianity thing is all about. And I just want to encourage you, brother Just keep leaning in, just keep asking questions, Just keep seeking you know what, and eventually he'll show you.

Chris Grainger: 11:36

Because really, it all started with god's perfect design and he laid out everything, he, he spoke everything into existence until it came to man, which I think is the coolest part, because he took, when it comes to man, he formed him with his hands. I think think about that. The there and he breathed the breath of life into his nostrils. That's just awesome. Face to face, first time Adam set up that's the first man, by the way he was face to face with God and it was incredible and things were just beyond what we can even imagine right now, because he was with God and things went great for like two pages in my Bible. And then things really turned south. That's when sin entered the world.

Chris Grainger: 12:23

And sin, fellas, is a small word, big meaning. Big meaning anything that separates us from God, that simple. And we have this separation now, this gap, this chasm between us, and we try to close it with things of the world. We'll try to be nice and help others and do all these wonderful things, and some of these things are really good things, but what we're trying to do is we're trying to earn our way back to his good graces right and to that right favor with God. The reality is, guys, we can't do that, because anytime we try to earn our salvation we're just going to come up short, because we all fall short, fellas.

Chris Grainger: 13:06

The problem is, many times we compare ourselves to the wrong stuff, like we'll compare my deeds to someone who's in prison or someone in prison or you know someone who's a drug addict and we'll compare to them. I'm not that bad. I mean, come on now, seriously, I am taking care of my family, I'm doing the right thing, I'm trying, trying right, but the model's wrong Because the comparison is truly to a holy and righteous God. And when I start comparing how Chris is compared to God, bro, ain't even close. Are you kidding me? I fall short every time. And guess what Every single one of us does. So don't hang your head. You are not condemned. Therefore, now there's no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. So don't hang your head. You are fit for use. The evil one's just got some blinders on you right now.

Chris Grainger: 13:52

So, if we recognize we can't do this for ourselves, we don't need a coach to make us better. We need someone to step in and do for us what we can't do for ourselves. What do we need? We need a savior. We have to have someone to do it for us.

Chris Grainger: 14:05

And that's where Jesus enters the scene. He left heaven on a rescue mission for us, was born of a virgin, fulfilled all the prophecies did, all the teachings did, all the miracles showed us what it was like to live out that perfect life that he lived without sin. This was Jesus. And then he did the ultimate for us by giving giving his life, rather for our sin. So he willingly went and sacrificed himself. So you know what I'll pay the penalty, I'll bore it all. They nailed him to the cross and they crucified him and Jesus died. And don't let anyone fool you saying that he didn't die. He fainted, he fell asleep or something like that. He died on the cross and they laid him in a tomb. And you would think, well, most stories, when the hero dies, it's over, right. At that point, what do we have to talk about? The nice things he did? There's more to the story.

Chris Grainger: 15:06

Now, other religions. You're right when they're quote unquote front person dies, it's done. Right, they're still in the ground. But we're not dressed like we're going to a funeral. We go to church because our Savior lives. He came out of the tomb. The tomb is empty. There is nothing there. It was like an Airbnb for Jesus, bro. That's all it was. He showed us evidence after evidence after evidence of him after the resurrection, and that's where we put our hope in a living Savior, not some dead person in the ground somewhere. Our hope is in Christ. Then he ascended to the Father. He told us directly that he is the way, the truth and the life.

Chris Grainger: 15:56

Fellas, if you're trying to get to heaven and you're trying to do it another way, without Jesus, it's not going to work. There's not multiple paths. Oprah was wrong. I hate to be the bearer of bad news and I wish I could tell you there was an easier way, or multiple ways rather, but it's not. But the way is pretty easy.

Chris Grainger: 16:17

It's confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, and not just Lord and Savior of a Sunday or like whenever you decide you feel spiritual. No, I'm talking about Lord over your entire life, over your finances, over your marriage, over your careers, over the way you raise your kids, over the way you show up in your community, everywhere. And it takes that first step of recognizing. You know what. I am a sinner and I recognize that my sin is real and I need a Savior, and I believe that Jesus came to pay the penalty for my sin. Therefore, I'm going to confess Him as Lord and Savior and if you're at that point, now's the time to actually do something, to pray the prayer, to ask and invite Jesus into your life, because your way just hasn't worked.

Chris Grainger: 17:05

I don't know how old you are you may be 17. You may be 77. I don't know how old you are you may be 17. You may be 77. I just know, during life without Christ, it's going to come up empty every time. So if you're ready to accept Christ as your Savior, let's pray together right now. You may be thinking Chris, are you absolutely kidding me? I can't do this.

Chris Grainger: 17:25

Listen to a podcast, why not? No one says you have to come to Christ sitting in a church pew. No, if the Holy Spirit's talking to you right now and nudging you right now, take the step of obedience and invite Christ into your life. So, father, I just pray for that one listener. They know that they've tried their way for far too long and it's time for them to surrender that and to turn to you. So I just pray. You put your hands around them, just touch them in a mighty way, father. Let them feel your presence, then put people on their path that are going to help them on their discipleship journey, which they are starting right now. God, and we love you and we praise you, and we pray everything according to your will in Jesus' name, amen. All right, so look, if you just accepted, christ, touch down. I want to hear from you. So send me an email. Okay, chris, at the land withinus. I love to get that email and I want to give you just a bunch of free resources. We have tons and tons of resources that we can connect you with to get you started on your discipleship journey. Also kind of want to find out where you're located. If you're not in a church, give you some things, some green lights as well as some red lights to look for when you start thinking about selecting a church. So just would love to connect and, if anything, hop on a Zoom call and just say hi, that would be awesome. So, again, send me an email. I'd love to connect with you.

Chris Grainger: 18:39

Guys, come back for our Wednesday episode. We're going to have a great episode, super pumped and excited to have this guest on. You guys are going, you sports guys, you're really going to know him. He had a big impact in a big NFL career for a long time, so we're really looking forward to exploring this conversation with him and sharing it with you guys. If you could give us a rating and review, that would be awesome.

Chris Grainger: 19:00

But all the stuff that really matters, fellas, to me, is head over to thelionwithinus. That's thelionwithinus. That's where you can find our stuff about our masterminds, our community, our daily spiritual kickoff, as well as our Bible study plans on the Bible app fellas. So tons of ways to get connected. Sign up for the weekly roar that comes out every Monday as well. So we have lots and lots and lots of ways to serve. Hopefully you'll be encouraged by something along the way. If I can serve you or help you in any way, please, please, reach out and look forward to seeing you next time. All right, guys, have a great day and keep unleashing the lion within. I've got something big to share.

Chris Grainger: 19:36

We're making a major shift because we know the battle was real and it's time more men had access to the support they need.

Chris Grainger: 19:42

For too long, guys have been trying to carry the weight alone pressure at work, tension at home, wounds from the past and a world that demands strength but offers no place to rest. We see it, we've lived it, and that's exactly why we built our community. It's a stronghold, a place where warriors can find rest, truth and a band of brothers standing beside them. And starting now, we're making it easier than ever to step in. We've lowered the barrier to just $15.99 a month. That means, for less than the cost of a drive-thru lunch, you can join a brotherhood that's centered on Christ and built for growth. Inside you'll find access to our daily spiritual kickoffs every Monday through Friday, our Lion Lunches, our Bible Studies, our Friday Forge Gatherings all that and so much more. Every man needs a stronghold and you don't have to fight alone. If you've been waiting for the right time to jump in, this is it. Go to thelionwithinus and join the community and see for yourself what happens when iron truly sharpens iron.