Are you looking for wisdom in the Proverbs? Are you seeking direction in the Proverbs? Are you searching for discernment in the Proverbs? After searching for a devotional to kick off three days back, searching in the bible.com site for “dad” and scrolled through the many devotionals I have completed 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!
Scriptures from Today’s Devotional:
‘Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.’
Proverbs 6:6-11
‘Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.’
Proverbs 10:4-5
‘A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. ‘
Proverbs 13:4
We need to spend time in God’s Word that is alive and active! We need to spend time reading and listening to God’s Word so that we know God’s will! We need to make time to wait on God and listen to how God’s Word is speaking to us and how we should and need to respond! Let’s find a way to spend time in God’s Word and then apply it in our lives!
Let’s be the dads who work as unto the Lord so that we accomplish His plans and His will even when we aren’t being watched by others! Let’s be the dads who work hard and for God’s purpose so that we are like a light shining on a hill directing people to God! Let’s be the dads who work hard to train our kids to be successful in God’s will and God’s way! Let’s be the dads who consider the wise ways of the ants in order to understand the seasons of life and the work require to be done in each so that we can be successful! Let’s be the dads who are diligent in the work we do! Let’s be the dads who avoid the pitfalls of being lazy in order to avoid poverty! Let’s be the dads who is prudent so that we won’t disgrace our families! Let’s be the dads who are diligent in order to be satisfied!
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:
“Sloth“
- Ever noticed terms that get used to express qualities?
- Ever noticed the use of different animals to express human character traits?
- Today’s devotional points out one of these examples: “Sloth feels like a biblical word for lazy.“
- Ever seen or realized how comfortable is a bad word or state of being?
- I remember in my career when God was calling me to change jobs and my answer was how I had a great boss, a great team, a great job and was so comfortable, why should I change jobs. And then the VP left and the reorgs began sending me off to a totally new team and org of their choosing. Imagine if I had of been obedient…
- Today’s devotional speaks to slothfulness this way: “Slothfulness is a deeper issue than simply being lazy. It’s a desperate attempt to stay comfortable. If anything requires effort and work, slothfulness will search out excuses and loopholes to avoid it. “
- Let’s be the dads who are ok being content but not ok being comfortable.
- Let’s be the dads who are looking to be good stewards rather than looking for excuses and loopholes to avoid finishing the work God has given us to do!
- Let’s be the dads who are good stewards and finish the good works God has prepared in advance for us to accomplish!
- Today’s devotional points out this fact when it points us to 1 Timothy 5:8 which says:
- ‘Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. ‘ 1 Timothy 5:8
- Let’s be the dads who aren’t satisfied with just getting by in this life!
- Let’s be the dads who diligently seek God, His will, His plan, and His purposes for our lives!
- Let’s be the dads who “work hard at all the other responsibilities you have” beyond work!
- Let’s be the dads who realize that us going to work and doing our job isn’t our only responsibility!
- Today’s devotional gives us examples of where and when laziness can present itself in and through our lives:
- “The lazy dad sees his only role as that of provider, then outsources all his other responsibilities to everyone else in his kids’ lives.“
- The Lazy dad “relies on others to carry his weight” thinking that “teachers will educate, coaches will discipline, pastors will disciple, and mom will take care of everything that happens in the home“!
- Lets be the dads who are the leaders of our home!
- Let’s be the dads who partner with our wives rather than delegating decisions and responsibilities to them!
- Today’s devotional gives the example that “Instead of being the leader in his home, the lazy dad says, “Go ask your mother,” and presses the eject button from all uncomfortable situations and conversations with his kids.“
- Let’s be the dads who will do our part and carry our weight and responsibility in the family!
- When we don’t, “the mom is forced to take on the role of mother and father and begins carrying the weight and responsibility of two. The lazy dad weighs down his own wife so that he can be free. “
- Let’s be the dads who don’t live shameful lives!
- Let’s be the dads who see when we are missing the mark and start to do something in order to take responsibility and ownership!
- Let’s be the dads who are men of action rather than potential!
- Let’s be the dads who “start setting goals and forming plans of attack to become someone who works hard in all areas of his life“!
- Let’s be the dads who free ourselves from the sin of laziness and sloth!
- Let’s be the dads who “put on work and dilligence“!
- Today’s devotional closes out with the following prayer:
- Today’s devotional closes with this reflective question:
