Maximized Manhood – Day 5

I’m so happy to get to come back and hear what Lonnie has to say today to help us be the dads God created, purposed, and planned for us to be! I’m excited to get to see what area he will take us to today to help us be better husbands and dads in our families. The first four days have been powerful and as we head into day 5, let’s get ready to receive not only from Lonnie but also from God and His Word and discernment through His Spirit.

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 The fad of the absentee Dad is outdated, and we as men have to step up to the plate and be the fathers, husbands and leaders God has called us to be.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 the best place to start our day because it brings us light to see ahead! God’s Word is the only place to start so it can help us be prepared for the day ahead and be filled to overflowing as we head out! God’s Word is sharp enough to cut through the craziness of life! God’s Word is useful and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, and fully equipped for every good work!

Let’s be the dads who seek the kingdom of God first, not after things get hard but instead seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness! Let’s be the dads who put God first in our lives! Let’s be the dads who realize that when we put God first and focus on doing what He wants and has for us that He will take care of the other things! So let’s be the dads who aim at and strive after the kingdom of God! Let’s be the dads who aim at and strive after His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God! Let’s be the dads who trust God enough that we do put Him, His kingdom, and His ways first knowing that He’ll take care of the rest! Let’s be the dads who work hard! Let’s be the dads who choose to live lives that God will approve of! Let’s be the dads who are good workers! Let’s be the dads who don’t need to be ashamed! Let’s be the dads who correctly explain the word of truth!

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:
“Pupil“

• What comes to your mind when you hear the word pupil?
• Does it take you back to when you were in school?
• Does it make you remember being in class – be it school or maybe even Sunday school?
• Does it make you think of the part of your eye?
• Today’s devotional provides us with the following definition: “[pyoo-puhl] noun a person who is learning under the close supervision of a teacher, a private tutor, or the like; a student“.
• Today’s devotional continues to provide us with video content to be able to hear the words from Lonnie not just read them and so we will jump there first:

• Let’s be the dads who choose to study, to be prompt, to live urgently, with speed and diligence!
• Let’s be the dads who are students or pupils!
• Let’s be the dads who realize that we need to be like the pupil in our eyes that allows the light in!
• Let’s be the dads who realize that as long we have life we will always be a student!
• Let’s be the dads who realize that the biggest room in the world is the room to grow and learn!
• Let’s be the dads who remain in the posture of a student!
• Let’s be the dads who are students of our wives!
• Let’s be the dads who are students of our kids!
• Let’s be the dads who dwell with our wives according to knowledge!
• Let’s be the dads who know our wives! student of our wives!
• Let’s be the dads who see the patterns of our kids and the students of our kids!
• Let’s be the dads who are pupils in life, remaining in the mode of learning!
• Let’s be the dads who realize that life is a master’s class and will always issue pop quizzes!
• Let’s be the dads who stay ready so that we don’t have to get ready!
• Today’s devotional makes us an offer:
  • “Men, can we have a quick, teachable moment? The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to show yourself approved unto God. A workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The word study in Greek is “spoudazo”, which means to use urgency and speed, or to be prompt and diligent. In English, the word “student” comes from the word “study”. A synonym for student is “pupil”, which is a person learning under the supervision of a teacher or tutor. The word pupil also refers to the opening of the human eye through which light passes. There’s a lot to unpack in all of this, but for the sake of time I won’t expound much further.“
• Let’s be the dads who can swallow our pride and admit we don’t know it all!
• Let’s be the dads who can give up the reins in our relationship and allow women to take the lead in certain areas, especially when they are more skilled and knowledgeable in those areas!
• Let’s be the dads who allow our wives and kids to operate in their areas of strength and expertise!
• Let’s be the dads who realize our top priority from God is to take care of our wives and kids and that we can’t save everyone!
• Let’s be the dads who choose to be good stewards!
• Let’s be the dads who are humble enough to let go of things we should be allowing our wives and kids to be doing for and in the home and family!
• Today’s devotional closes with the following thought, call to action, and prayer:
  • “After more than 25 years of marriage, there are things to this day that I am still learning from my wife. Men, we have to remain pupils of our spouses if we ever hope to have a successful marriage. We ought to dwell with our wives according to knowledge. Teamwork makes the dream work. As long as you’re alive, you’re a student and the master class of life is always in session.“
  • “Call To Action: What is one new thing you would like to learn? Take some time to research the topic, get a book about it or watch a video tutorial about it. Reach out to someone who is in that line of work, whether they’re your peer or someone older than you. Ask them to allow you to shadow them while you gain more exposure to the new skill or talent. Never stop learning, never stop growing and never stop going.“
  • “Prayer: God I am grateful for every life lesson, and for every test and trial I’ve experienced. I want to know more about You. Teach me Your ways and give me a deeper hunger for Your word so that I may be equipped for success. In Jesus’ name. Amen.“