Ever had one of those days where you feel like you missed the mark? Ever had one of those days where you feel like you said or did the wrong thing? What did you do about it? How did you respond? Did you try to make things right? Did you try again? Did you turn back to God for help? Did you repent? Did you say you were sorry? What did you do? How did you respond?
We’re on day 5 of 10 and I am so curious to get to see the fundamentals God has planned for us today and how today’s devotional will speak it to us.
Scripture from Today’s Devotional:
‘ But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love]. Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.’
Revelation 2:4-5
‘ But when Jesus heard it, He replied, Those who are strong and well (healthy) have no need of a physician, but those who are weak and sick. Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy [that is, readiness to help those in trouble] and not sacrifice and sacrificial victims. For I came not to call and invite [to repentance] the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), but sinners (the erring ones and all those not free from sin). [Hos. 6:6.]’
Matthew 9:12-13
‘ But whatever former things I had that might have been gains to me, I have come to consider as [one combined] loss for Christ’s sake. Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith. [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].’
Philippians 3:7-11
Starting with God’s Word rather than the thoughts of man is so much better because God’s Word has power and never returns void! So let’s make sure to start our time daily with God and in His Word!
Let’s be the dads who don’t turn from or walk away from God! Let’s be the dads who when we realize that we have walked away from God that we stop and turn back to Him! Let’s be the dads who don’t think we can do it in our own strength or on our own but turn to God who is our source and firm foundation! Let’s be the dads who live our lives with God, loving Him because He first loved us, loving others from the overflow of His love pouring into us! Let’s be the dads who are walking with God today! Let’s be the dads who realize when we need healing and turn back to God to be restored! Let’s be the dads who see when others are in need and ask God how we can help with the restoration and healing process, how can we be the hands reaching, the arms embracing, and the feet going to accomplish His will! Let’s be the dads who are ready to help those in need like our Heavenly Father is! Let’s be the dads who turn back to God and repent when we realize that we have errored or have been trapped or ensnared by sin! Let’s be the dads who are more interested in God’s stuff than collecting material possessions in this world! Let’s be the dads who are celebrating the priceless privilege of knowing Jesus which is overwhelmingly preciousness, that is of surpassing worth, and supreme advantage! Let’s be the dads who take the time and make the time to progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, of perceiving and recognizing, and understand Him more fully and clearly! Let’s be the dads who may actually be found and known as in Him, not having any self-achieved righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the Anointed One, the truly right standing with God, which comes from God by saving faith! Let’s be the dads who know Him that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly, and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection which it exerts over believers, and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed in spirit into His likeness even to His death, in the hope That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection that lifts me out from among the dead even while in the body!
Today’s devotional has been provided to us by Discerning Dad!
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://discerning-dad.com/
Takeaways from Today’s Devotional:
“Fundamental 2—Repentance (Breastplate of Righteousness) (Eph 6:14)“
- Let’s be the dads who put on the gift we have only thanks to Jesus that is the breastplate of righteousness!
- Consider the purpose for soldiers wearing breastplates or police wearing bulletproof vests, it’s to protect our most vital organs!
- Because it isn’t our righteousness but Jesus’ righteousness, we are led to repentance and drawing closer to God and turning back to Him!
- Today’s devotional jumps into revelation as we consider this topic:
- Today’s devotional speaks to the importance of repentance throughout all of eternity when it says:
- Let’s be the dads who repent when we do something that saddens or grieves our heavenly Father!
- Today’s devotional speaks to the importance of this activity when it says:
- Let’s be the dads who take time to reflect on our time and efforts to make sure that if we missed the mark we are able to repent and turn back to God and give it up to Him!
- Today’s devotional speaks to the gift of Jesus’ righteousness when it says:
- Today’s devotional calls us to a daily routine, a discipline to examine ourselves and take count of what we have done:
- Let’s be the dads who examine ourselves!
- Let’s be the dads who observe if there is any unrighteousness in us!
- Let’s be the dads who ask God to create a pure heart in us!
- Let’s be the dads who confess our sins to Him, knowing He will forgive us!
- Today’s devotional closes out with the following thought and challenge:
- “You can’t desire both sin and Jesus at the same time. If you see sin for what it truly is and the reason for your Savior having to go to the cross, your desire for that action should diminish and eventually fade away completely.“
- “What does confession and repentance look like in your life? Do you have someone you are in accountability with when you do need to confess your sin?“
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