Maximized Manhood – Day 1

So I went searching again for a new devotional today to use on our BeTheDads devotional site. After a few pages, this one with Lonnie Barker jumped out to me and so here we go. What got my attention was the name and picture and then digging in to understand more, I felt it was a great place to start.

Today’s devotional is described as follows:

If there ever was a time for men to show up and rewrite the narrative of what it means to be a man of integrity, a good husband and a better father, that time is now. The fad of the absentee Dad is outdated, and we as men have to step up to the plate and be the fathers, husbands and leaders God has called us to be.

Maximized Manhood | Devotional Reading Plan | YouVersion Bible

Scripture from Today’s Devotional:

God’s Word is active and alive and so if we want to be able to maximize life, we need to be filled with God’s Word and God’s Spirit! We need to get filled up to overflowing so that the overflow can be poured out and into others! We need to have our hearts filled with love so that from the overflow of our hearts the mouth speaks love too!

Let’s be the dads who care for those God has entrusted to us! Let’s be the dads who care for our wives, our kids, and our community! Let’s be the dads who watch over willingly those God has entrusted to us! Let’s be the dads who watch over willingly our wives, our kids, and our community! Let’s be the dads who are so eager to serve God that we care for those God has entrusted to us willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it! Let’s be the dads who are so eager to serve God that we care for our wives, our kids, and our community!

Let’s be the dads who don’t try to do things in our own power but look to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we can operate in the Lord’s strength and in His power! Let’s be the dads who don’t try to lean on our own understanding but instead trust in God and lean in on His strength and His power! Let’s be the dads who spend in time in God’s Word and receive the instruction it provides us like how we are to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power!

Today’s devotional has been provided to us by REALationships Marriage Ministry.

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 REALationships.

Takeaways from Today’s Devotional:
“Day 1: Protector“

• What comes to mind when you see, read, or hear protector?
• Today’s devotional shares the definition: “[pruh-tek-ter] noun a person that protects; defender; guardian”
• Before continuing, today’s devotional has a YouTube Video and so I want to include it here too:

• Let’s be the dads who teach how to love!
• Let’s be the dads who teach how to make the most out of what we have!
• Let’s be the dads who provide the protection and guidance that our kids and wives need us to be!
• Let’s be the dads who are the first line of defense against anything that would come against our home, our marriages, and our kids!
• Let’s be the dads who are the heads of our households that gird, guard, and guide our wives and our kids!
• Let’s be the dads who shield our wives and kids against anything that would try to come against our family and household!
• Let’s be the dads who grab onto God’s Word and receive the instructions as we find in 1 Peter 5:8 that says: ‘Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. ‘ 1 Peter 5:8
• Let’s be the dads who are being alert, sober-minded, watchful, and vigilant as the protector of our wives, kids, and home!
• Let’s be the dads who are the protector of our home! Protecting our wives! Protecting our children!
• Let’s be the dads who are the men God has created and called us to be, the protector of our family!
• Let’s be the dads who are present in our homes!
• Let’s be the dads who are present for our wives!
• Let’s be the dads who are present for our kids!
• Today’s devotional speaks and calls us to be the dads who
  • “should be the first line of defense against any intruder, antagonist or adversary that would try to sabotage our marriages, families and our homes“!
  • are “the head of the household, are the lion of your pride, and must be willing to protect your domain at all cost“!
  • “leave nothing to chance“!
• Today’s devotional calls us to be the protectors God called and created us to be when it says:
  • “As the protector, it is your obligation to gird, guard and guide your family under the leading of the Holy Spirit. As fathers, this means protecting our children from outside influences such as what they watch on television, social media and friendships that could hinder their spiritual growth and well being. So what if your child feels like you’re being nosey, intrusive or overbearing—check their smartphones, tablets or laptops anyway to make sure they are not being persuaded by pornography, predators or any other evil propaganda, etc. Leave nothing to chance! As husbands, this means making every effort to make our wives feel safe and secure. Not just within the confines of our home, but also within the deep crevices of their heart. We do this by choosing our words wisely and being conscious of our tone, which is important in creating a sense of security for not only her, but our children also. Remember that God placed your family under your care and supervision. It is your obligation and assignment as the protector to make sure they are guarded from not only physical threats, but spiritual threats as well. This is why it is imperative that you remove any distractions or hindrances in your life that could compromise your ability to protect your family.“
• Today’s devotional closes with a scripture, a call to action, and a prayer:
  • “The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 5:8 to “be sober and watchful because the enemy (the devil) prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” It is easy to get sidetracked and lose focus, but we have to stay on guard because if the devil can find a way to disarm or dismantle the man (protector), the whole household is at risk of being attacked.“
  • “Call to Action: Make intentional time for reading God’s word and spending time in prayer everyday. Create a safe environment for your wife and children to share their fears, dreams and goals with you. Encourage them in the areas of their weakness and affirm their strengths. Make them feel safe.“
  • “Prayer: God, as a man I want to represent (re-present) You in my family, in my home and my community. Give me the bold tenacity to stand up against any evil that would try to infiltrate my household and destroy my family. Lead me by Your Holy Spirit so that I can be the husband, father and protector You have called me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.“