Ever had one of those days when you think, what’s next? Yesterday, I had one of those moments and so I went searching for a devotional to kick off today searching in the bible.com site for “dad” and scrolled through the many devotionals I have completed and then this one just popped out from the scrolling and here we go. Today’s devotional shares, “Most sin can be traced to one of these seven sins. So, know them. Fight them in your home. Fight them in your heart. Be the example that maybe you didn’t have growing up. You can learn to overcome the sin that’s holding you back.” So let’s take the next week to learn to be ready and prepared to fight them in our homes and hearts!
Today’s Devotional shares the following scripture verses:
‘A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. ‘
Proverbs 14:30
‘At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ‘
Titus 3:3-7
‘But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ‘
James 3:14-17
Let’s pause to take in what God’s Word is telling us today! Let’s meditate on God’s Word to understand what He is teaching us today! Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to teach us and train us through God’s Word that is speaking to us today!
Let’s be the dads who live at peace and cast away envy! Let’s be the dads who receive and accept God’s peace that surpasses all understanding in order that we may live! Let’s be the dads who reject envy because we know that envy rots the bones! Let’s be the dads who realize that we aren’t perfect and how in our younger days “we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures“! Let’s be the dads who remember how “we lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another“! Let’s be the dads who remember when our lives were transformed through an encounter with Jesus and “when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Let’s be the dads who choose to forgive first because we know that if “we harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in our hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For where we have envy and selfish ambition, there we find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” Let’s be the dads who are generous! Let’s be the dads who are content! Let’s be the dads who love! Let’s be the dads who choose to live our lives giving rather and at peace rather than allowing ourselves to be robbed of joy and contentment because of envy, lust, selfishness, and coveting!
Today’s devotional has been provided by Manhood Journey.
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 https://www.manhoodjourney.org/.
Takeaways from Today’s Devotional:
“Envy“
- Let’s be the dads who realize that “Envy is a very sly sin“!
- Let’s be the dads who realize that envy “starts off seemingly small, then quietly sneaks up on us before it stirs in the destruction that wreaks havoc on our attitude and outlook“!
- Let’s be the dads who celebrate and rejoice in the good news and experiences of others rather than becoming envious and start comparing ourselves with them.
- Let’s be the dads who don’t get tricked and fooled by the enemy of our souls into comparing ourselves with others and becoming envious as shown through the example in today’s devotional:
- Let’s be the dads who make sure we don’t covet or envy what other dads or friends have!
- Let’s be the dads who are content no matter how much or how little we have because we have Jesus as Paul expressed in Philippians 4 where we read:
- ‘I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. ‘ Philippians 4:10-13
- Let’s be the dads who resist envy because we know that “once envy finds a way in, it begins to spread like a disease to all areas of your life. Before too long, you won’t be satisfied with anything because there is always something better to be had.“
- Let’s be the dads who “put on gratitude and contentment“!
- Let’s be the dads who remove envy from our lives by being “grateful and content with the blessings God has given us“!
- Today’s devotional uses the NLT translation when it shares “Paul says it this way in his letter to the Philippians, “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13 NLT).“!
- Let’s be the dads who are “Taking on this kind of attitude will help us not only be grateful for God’s goodness, we will also learn to rejoice in the successes of others.“
- Today’s devotional closes with this prayer:
- Today’s devotional closes with this question to reflect upon:
