Just For Dads: Be A Positive Christian Role Model – Day 6

I found a devotional that was a bit longer and that sounded powerful as a message so that it could help us learn and become the dads God created and purposed for us to be. So I chose “Just For Dads: Be A Positive Christian Role Model” because, over 21 days, we will get to read and learn about how to be a positive Christian role model for our family! Over 21 days, we will get to learn about topics like: “self-discipline, love, patience, and much more“! This devotional will not only help us be the dads but it will also help us “in our day-to-day life to show our children what it truly means to be a role model and follower of Christ in every sense“.

Let’s check out our scriptures for today’s devotional:

• Zephaniah 1:2-7

‘“I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord. “I will sweep away both man and beast; I will sweep away the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea— and the idols that cause the wicked to stumble.” “When I destroy all mankind on the face of the earth,” declares the Lord, “I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem. I will destroy every remnant of Baal worship in this place, the very names of the idolatrous priests— those who bow down on the roofs to worship the starry host, those who bow down and swear by the Lord and who also swear by Molek, those who turn back from following the Lord and neither seek the Lord nor inquire of him.” Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited.’

Zephaniah 1:2-7

God’s Word is amazing, steady, and unchanging! God’s Word is active and alive! God’s Word is a light unto our path and a lamp unto our feet! So let’s choose to use it as our instruction manual for living this life we have been given!

Let’s be the dads who worship the one true God! Let’s be the dads who don’t get pulled into the lies or deception and turn to idols! Let’s be the dads who pursue God daily! Let’s be the dads who are living sacrifices! Let’s be the dads who are living out the transformed lives God has given us when we accepted Jesus into our hearts! Let’s be the dads who decide to invite Jesus into our hearts in order to be saved and reconciled to God! Let’s be prepared in and out of season to give a reason for the hope that is within us! Let’s be the dads who shine the love of Jesus to our wives, kids, and the world around us!

Today’s devotional has been provided by Zondervan!

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)

For more information, please visit Just For Dads: Be A Positive Christian Role Model | Devotional Reading Plan | YouVersion Bible for more details.

Takeaways from Today’s Devotional:

“The power of unused power“

• Let’s be the dads who reflect upon and seek to know God so that we can understand and live in His power!
• Today’s devotional uses the analogy of a car to express how we do live to the full like God offers us and plans for us when it says:
  • “How fast will your car go? You don’t know? Well, how high do the numbers on your speedometer go — 130 . . . 140 . . . 150? And you probably have never even taken your car up to 100 mph. Right? Wow, just think of all that raw, unused power! It’s enough to make your heart pound, isn’t it?“
• Do you remember how God said His plan was that we would live to the full? to live an abundant life? to live a satisfying life?
  • John 10:10 tells us “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
  • NLT says it this way: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.“
  • ESV says it this way “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.“
• Let’s be the dads who realize the power God offers us and still choose to live humbly!
• Let’s be the dads who realize the power God offers us and use it in accordance to His plans and purposes!
• Today’s devotional calls out how Zephaniah’s prophecies were all written in the future tense!
  • “Did you notice that Zephaniah’s prophecies are all written in the future tense? He was telling the people that many, many terrible things would happen to them if they continued in their disobedience and sinfulness. He was reminding them of something they had known all along: when God unleashes his power, it’s an incredible thing — a devastating thing. “Do whatever you can,” Zephaniah seemed to be saying, “to avoid the Sovereign Lord’s wrath and power.”“
• Let’s be the dads who love like God loves!
• Today’s devotional speaks to us as dads with the following:
  • “In your job as a dad, you have a disciplinary speedometer. This instrument registers numbers much higher than posted and safe speed limits. Do you have the right to push your accelerator to the floor and demonstrate some of that power? Of course you do, and sometimes it’s all you can do.“
• Let’s be the dads who don’t swing the power around like a loose cannon!
• Let’s be the dads who can control the power and have the wisdom of God when to and not to use it!
• Today’s devotional speaks to this power as follows:
  • “But most experts agree that if you spend too much time at those high speeds, you’ll do damage to yourself, not to mention those around you. Sometimes that power is more powerful when it’s not used. When your children see you voluntarily holding back, they’ll be impressed with — and thankful for — your restraint. They may even be willing to get in line without your pressing the accelerator.“
  • “Sometimes dads are called on to use their power. Their families need the strong voice, the demonstration of authority or the crack of the whip. It’s not enjoyable, but it is necessary. But most of the time, even when you could use that power, it’s better to hold back, leaving some of that potential force unused.“
• Let’s be the dads who seek God’s wisdom to know how we should choose to live and how to be with our wives, kids, and the world around us!
• Let’s be the dads who have and demonstrate mercy and grace as our Heavenly Father does to and for us!
• Today’s devotional speaks to mercy and grace when it says:
  • “God’s restraint — His mercy and His grace — is what makes Him so awesome. Does He have the power to do whatever He wants? Of course, He does. Does He have the right? Again, yes . . . especially given our sinfulness. But most of the time it’s His tenderness and patience that melts our defiance and realigns our wayward hearts.“
• Let’s be the dads who take up the challenge that today’s devotional closes with:
  • “Perhaps you need to discover the power of unused power. Your family will be grateful.“