It’s incredible getting to go through these devotions for dads. It’s even more incredible getting to reach out to the authors and connect with them. Today when I did my search for “dad” in the Bible.com plans, the next one on the list was from UNCOMMEN and titled – STRANGE – WORDS – A Dad’s Prayer For His Children. This one’s description aligns very strongly with our theme of Be The Dads. Here is a snippet that describes this devotional from Bible.com:
Now more than ever, the world is in need of strong fathers who love their families well. God provides the strength to those who seek Him and call upon His name. Being a father is a sacred responsibility because we reflect God’s love to our children. Men are called to lead and serve their families, and a very tangible way to do that is to pray over your children. God does amazing things in our lives when we ask for His help. But sometimes finding the words to pray over your kids can be challenging. This study includes seven things from Scripture that you can pray over your kids for each day of the week. Join us as we provide guidance and daily encouragement for great prayers based on Scripture over the next seven days.
Bible.com – UNCOMMEN
Today’s verses from God’s Word come to us from Philippians 2:3-4, Mark 10:45, and John 13:12-17.
‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. ‘
Philippians 2:3-4
‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ‘
Mark 10:45
‘When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. ‘
John 13:12-17
Today’s verses created a check in my spirit. They made me consider my words and my responses in recent days and how for me to be the dad I am supposed to be, I need to cling onto today’s Word from God and apologize for my past behaviors with my spouse. (done – had to do it before I could continue here – just like Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:24.) Between today’s verses above and the verse of the day I had on my phone that says from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks, I know today is off to a great start. Let’s be the dads who do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Let’s be the dads who live in humility, valuing others above ourselves. Let’s be the dads who don’t look for our own interest but the interest of others instead. Let’s be the dads who serve others, since Jesus came to serve rather than be served, so should we. Let’s be the dads who will stoop down and follow Jesus’ example and do as He has done so that we can walk in His blessings. Let’s then be the dads who pass along this lesson and these truths to our children. Let’s be the dads who lead by example and train up our kids in the way they should go so that when they are also they will not sway but walk out their lives in alignment with God’s purposes, plans, and will.
Today’s devotional has been provided by UNCOMMEN (more details can be found https://www.uncommen.org/).
Reading through today’s devotional, here are some takeaways for me: (check out the devotional on your own too to see if you pick up other nuggets, and please share your findings in the comments)
SERVANT HEART
- Today’s devotional kicks off with an incredible prayer connected to today’s verses:
- “Today’s Prayer: “Heavenly Father help our child to have a servant’s heart. Help them to see the needs of others, and consider them before their own. Open up their eyes to the world around them and how they can serve.””
- It’s incredible to get to see my kids grow up and look to serve others. It’s an amazing feeling of joy that comes from seeing each of them in their own ways see the needs of others and be willing to help.
- Has anyone shown you kindness lately?
- Have you experienced and random acts of kindness?
- Are you showing others kindness today?
- Are you creating random acts of kindness in your world?
- Are you seeing a need and deciding to fill it?
- Every good and perfect gift comes from God.
- God provides enough that we are able to be good and generous in every situation.
- Knowing this are you able to give? to serve? to value others?
- Today’s devotional asks this important question:
- “How much easier is it for us to give when we know we will be taken care of by our own heavenly Father?”
- So let’s be the dads who show and share with our kids the importance to look for opportunities to serve those in need.
- Let’s be the dads who are ready and prepare our kids to look for opportunities to serve those in need.
- Let’s be the dads who trust God as we pray today’s prayer to open doors of opportunity to demonstrate a servants heart to each other in the home and to others when we go out.
- Let’s be the dads who trust God as we pray today’s prayer to open doors of opportunity to demonstrate a servants heart towards our wives as an example to our kids of the way to live and treat our spouses.
- Let’s be the dads who trust God as we pray today’s prayer to open doors of opportunity to demonstrate a servants heart through helping our kids share with their siblings and friends.
- Let’s be the dads who trust God as we pray today’s prayer to open doors of opportunity to demonstrate a servants heart through helping our neighbors.
- Let’s be on the lookout for ways to train up our kids in the way they should go.
- Today’s devotional comes with a challenge:
- “UNCOMMEN Challenge: What are some ways you can help encourage your child to see the needs of others around them? How can you demonstrate a servant’s heart today and model that for your child?”
